The compound word "熄火" is formed by combining the verb "熄" (xī), meaning "to extinguish" or "to put out," with the noun "火" (huǒ), meaning "fire." It follows a standard verb-object grammatical structure common in Chinese, where the action directly affects the object. Literally, it means "to extinguish a fire," but its primary modern usage is metaphorical, describing the act of an engine or motor stopping or stalling, effectively ceasing its operation as if its internal "fire" or combustion has been put out. Thus, the word seamlessly connects a concrete action to a common mechanical phenomenon.