(n)a condition in which insufficient or no oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged on a ventilatory basis; caused by choking or drowning or electric shock or poison gas
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
{ ‖ } 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 ]