Staunch

Pronunciation

• enPR: /stônch/, IPA: /stɔːntʃ/
• some accents enPR: /stänch/, IPA: /stɑːntʃ/
• Rhymes: -ɔːntʃ, -ɑːntʃ

Alternative forms

• stanch

Origin

From Old French estanchier ("to stanch"), from Vulgar Latin *stanticāre ("to stop"), from Latin stāre, present active infinitive of stō ("I stand").

Full definition of staunch

Adjective

1. loyal, trustworthy, reliable, outstandingHe's been a staunch supporter of mine through every election.
• Joyce Ulysses, Episode 16he relished a glass of choice old wine in season as both nourishing and bloodmaking and possessing aperient virtues (notably a good burgundy which he was a staunch believer in)
2. dependable, persistent
• Without our staunch front line the enemy would have split the regiment.

Verb

1. (transitive) To stop the flow of (blood).
2. (transitive) To stop, check, or deter an action.
• Somebody's got to staunch those press leaks!

Usage notes

The spelling staunch is more commonly used for the adjective. In contrast, stanch is more commonly used as the spelling of the verb.

Anagrams

• canthus
• chaunts