{ ‖ } n. [ NL. asphyxia, fr. Gr. &unr_;; 'a priv. + &unr_; to throb, beat. ] (Med.) Apparent death, or suspended animation; the condition which results from interruption of respiration, as in suffocation or drowning, or the inhalation of poisonous or irrespirable gases. [ 1913 Webster ]