Stanch

Alternative forms

• staunch

Origin

See staunch.

Full definition of stanch

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.
• Francis BaconIron 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. 44Immediately her issue of blood stanched.
3. (transitive) To prop; to make stanch, or strong.
• EmersonHis gathered sticks to stanch the wall
  Of the snow tower when snow should fall.
4. To extinguish; to quench, as fire or thirst.

Noun

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

Adjective

1. Strong and tight; sound; firm.a stanch ship
• EvelynOne 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
• PriorIn politics I hear you're stanch.
3. Close; secret; private.
• John Lockethis to be kept stanch

Anagrams

• chants
• snatch