The word "smothered" is spelled as /ˈsmʌðərd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The first sound in "smothered" is /s/, followed by the vowel sound /ʌ/. The next sound is the voiced fricative /ð/, followed by the schwa /ə/. Finally, the last two letters in "smothered" are pronounced as /rd/. This word means to suffocate or cover something completely, and its spelling accurately reflects its pronunciation.
Smothered is an adjective that describes a state or action of being covered completely or stifled to the extent that it becomes difficult to breathe or function properly. It refers to a condition where something is overwhelmingly suffocated, obstructed, or overwhelmed.
In a literal sense, smothered can describe the act of covering or burying someone or something entirely, denying access to air or causing confinement. For instance, placing a plastic bag over a person's face or piling a heavy object on top of an item can result in smothering.
Figuratively, smothered can indicate a feeling of being overwhelmed or inundated. It can refer to an emotional or psychological state where one is excessively controlled, suppressed, or restrained, leading to feelings of suffocation and helplessness. This can occur in relationships, where one person dominates or restricts the other's freedom or individuality.
Additionally, smothered can describe food that has been cooked or topped with an abundance of ingredients, typically resulting in a rich and deeply flavorful dish. For example, smothered chicken might involve simmering chicken in a savory gravy or sauce until it becomes tender and surrounded by a thick coating.
Overall, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense, smothered denotes a condition of being completely covered, overwhelmed, or stifled, often associated with a lack of breathing or freedom.
* 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 "smothered" originated from the Middle English term "smortheren", which was derived from the Old English word "smorian". Both "smortheren" and "smorian" meant to suffocate or stifle. The Old English word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "smor-", which had a similar meaning. The root of this word can be connected to the Proto-Indo-European base "smer-", which denoted fat or grease. Over time, "smothered" came to mean covering or suffocating something or someone, often by limiting or restricting airflow.