Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » quench

quench

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Quench is defined as to satisfy or to extinguish.

(verb)

An example of to quench is to have a cold drink when thirsty.
An example of to quench is to put out a fire.

See quench in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to extinguish; put out: to quench fire with water
to overcome; subdue; suppress
to satisfy; slake: to quench one's thirst
to cool (hot steel, etc.) suddenly by plunging into water, oil, or the like

Origin: ME quenchen < OE cwencan, to extinguish, caus. of cwincan, to go out, akin to Fris kwinka, MHG verquinen, to pass away < IE base *gwey-, to complain, weep

Related Forms:

quenchable adjective
quencher noun
quenchless adjective

See quench in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb quenched, quench·ing, quench·es

To put out (a fire, for example); extinguish.
To suppress; squelch: The disapproval of my colleagues quenched my enthusiasm for the plan.
To put an end to; destroy.
To slake; satisfy: Mineral water quenched our thirst.
To cool (hot metal) by thrusting into water or other liquid.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English quenchen

Origin: , from Old English -cwencan (in ācwencan, to quench)

Related Forms: