stanch

English

Alternative forms

• staunch

Etymology

From Old French estanchier (“to stanch”), origin uncertain, possibly from Vulgar Latin *stanticō (“to stop”), from Latin stō (“stand”). Compare Spanish estancar. See also staunch.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /stænt͡ʃ/
• Rhymes: -æntʃ

Verb

1. (transitive) To stop the flow of.

   A small amount of cotton can be stuffed into the nose to stanch the flow of blood if necessary.

   • (Can we date this quote by Francis Bacon and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     Iron or a stone laid to the neck doth stanch the bleeding of the nose.

2. (intransitive) To cease, as the flowing of blood.
   • Bible, Luke viii. 44

     Immediately her issue of blood stanched.

3. (transitive) To prop; to make stanch, or strong.
   • (Can we date this quote by Emerson and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     His gathered sticks to stanch the wall / Of the snow tower when snow should fall.

4. To extinguish; to quench, as fire or thirst.

Translations

To stop the flow of

• Maori: uka, (refers to blood), pāpuni
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: остана́вливать (ru) (ostanávlivatʹ)

Noun

stanch (plural stanches)

1. That which stanches or checks a flow.
2. A floodgate by which water is accumulated, for floating a boat over a shallow part of a stream by its release.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Knight to this entry?)

Adjective

stanch (comparative stancher, superlative stanchest)

1. Strong and tight; sound; firm.

   a stanch ship

   • (Can we date this quote by Evelyn and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     One of the closets is parqueted with plain deal, set in diamond, exceeding stanch and pretty.

2. Firm in principle; constant and zealous; loyal; hearty; steadfast.

   a stanch churchman; a stanch friend or adherent

   • (Can we date this quote by Prior and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     In politics I hear you're stanch.

3. Close; secret; private.
   • (Can we date this quote by John Locke and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     this to be kept stanch

Anagrams

• chanst, chants, snatch