smother-v; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: Envelop completely; form a cover over.

Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[inanimate] SMOTHER NP2

Examples:
Smother the meat in gravy.
The butter cream smothered the cake.

Mappings:
VerbNet: fill-9.8
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 4

Sense Number 2: Deprive of oxygen or air, possibly metaphorcally.

Commentary: Syntax is: NP1 SMOTHER NP2
NOTE: NP1 is usually animate. If NP2 is metaphorically deprived of air, NP1 may be inanimate.

Examples:
The child smothered herself in a plastic bag.
Othello smothered Desdemona with a pillow.
Smother the fire.
He said the company couldn't be smothered by market pressures.
Don't smother the boy, now.

Mappings:
VerbNet: poison-42.2,subjugate-42.3
FrameNet: Killing
PropBank: smother.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 5

Sense Number 3: Conceal or hide.

Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[agent] SMOTHER NP2

Examples:
He smothered a yawn.
She smothered her anger.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3