Definition of the word strangulation

The word "strangulation" has its roots in the Late Latin word "strangulare," which means "to throttle" or "to choke." This Latin word is a combination of "stranguulus," meaning "throat", and the suffix "-are," which forms a verb. The word "strangulation" itself likely originated in the 15th century, derived from the earlier Middle English word "strangulacioun," which referred to the act of throttling or choking someone. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include the constriction of airways by external pressure, and it is now commonly used in medical and forensic contexts to describe the act of cutting off the flow of oxygen to the brain. So, while the idea of strangulation is certainly unpleasant, the word itself has a fascinating history and evolution!