throttler
Definition
Noun: A person who kills someone by squeezing their throat to stop breathing; a strangler.
Usage
The word "throttler" specifically refers to a person who commits murder by strangulation. It is a formal and somewhat dated term, often found in historical or legal contexts, or in descriptions of violent crime.
Examples
- The serial killer was known as the "Boston Throttler" in the newspaper reports.
- Evidence at the scene suggested the work of a throttler.
- In the 19th century, a notorious throttler terrorized the city's waterfront district.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe something that suppresses or chokes off activity, though this is less common.
Variants and Related Words
- Throttle (verb): To strangle or choke someone; to restrict the flow of something.
- Strangler (noun): A more common synonym for "throttler."
- Garrotter (noun): A person who kills using a garrote (a wire or cord).
Synonyms
- Strangler
- Choker
- Garrotter
Related Phrases
- To put the throttle on: An idiom meaning to slow down or restrict something, derived from the mechanical throttle that controls engine speed.
Noun
-
someone who kills by strangling
