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smothered

/ˈsmʌðərd/C1

使窒息 / 闷死 (v.)

动词 `smother` 的过去式，指用东西捂住口鼻「使人窒息而死」。这里描写的是母亲在绝望中宁可亲手「闷死」孩子，也不愿看他们挨饿。

Kings froze to death in their castles, same as the shepherds in their huts.

And women smothered their babies rather than see them starve,

and wept and felt their tears freeze on their cheeks.