Pronunciation: [sˈʌfəkˌe͡ɪts] (IPA) 
The word "suffocates" is spelled with four syllables: /ˈsʌfəˌkeɪts/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound, followed by the "f" sound in the second syllable. The third syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound and the "k" sound, and the final syllable contains a long "a" sound followed by the "ts" sound. This word refers to the act of being deprived of air or oxygen, typically leading to death.
Suffocates is a verb derived from the noun "suffocation" and refers to the act of causing someone or something to be deprived of oxygen, leading to difficulty in breathing, resulting in the impairment or cessation of normal respiration. This action may be intentional or accidental, though the term is often associated with deliberate actions that lead to asphyxiation or choking. It involves obstructing or constricting the airways, preventing the entry of air into the lungs.
In the context of human beings, suffocation can occur through various means, such as strangulation, choking, or smothering, where external pressure or obstruction directly affects the ability to breathe. It can be caused by physical means, like applying pressure to the neck, or by cutting off the oxygen supply to the body, such as by placing a plastic bag over someone's head.
However, the term suffocates is not limited to human actions but can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where something, such as an idea, creativity, or opportunity, is suppressed or stifled to the point of extinction. In this sense, it implies a lack of freedom, growth, or progression, as if something is being smothered or prevented from thriving.
Overall, the verb suffocates refers to the deprivation of oxygen leading to difficulties in breathing, either physically or metaphorically.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "suffocates" is derived from the Latin verb "suffocare", which means "to smother" or "to choke". It is a combination of the prefix "sub-" meaning "under" or "completely", and "focare", meaning "to choke" or "to suffocate". Over time, the word "suffocate" developed in English, retaining similar meaning and pronunciation to its Latin origin.
