Chokehold
/ˈtʃoʊkˌhoʊld/noun
A grappling hold that compresses the throat or neck, restricting breathing.
Did you know?Unlike words such as mortgage or disaster, chokehold is a straightforward modern compound, but its power comes from combining an ancient Germanic verb for suffocation with a native verb for gripping or keeping.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
cēocian
“to choke, suffocate, obstruct the throat”
Old English
OE
healdan
“to hold, keep, possess, support”
Middle English
ME
choken
“to choke, suffocate”
Middle English
ME
holden
“to hold, grasp, keep”
Modern English
English
chokehold
“a restraining grip on the neck or throat that restricts breathing”
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