Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Sports An illegal wrestling hold used to choke an opponent.
  • noun A force, influence, or action that restricts or suppresses freedom or progress.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A grip or control so strong as to stifle or cut off.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a wrestling hold in which the arms are pressed against the opponent's windpipe
  • noun complete power over a person or situation

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From strangle +‎ hold.

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