staunch
staunch
Definition
staunch (stônc̸h, stänc̸h)
transitive verb
- to stop or check (the flow of blood or of tears, etc.) from (a wound, opening, etc.)
- to stop or lessen (the flow or drain of funds, resources, etc.)
- to stop up or close off (a source of draining or leakage)
- Now Chiefly Dial.
- to quench; quell
- to allay; appease
Etymology: ME stanchen < OFr estanchier < VL *stanticare, to bring to a stop < L stans: see stance
intransitive verb
to cease flowing or draining out or away
adjective
- watertight; seaworthy a staunch ship
- firm; steadfast; loyal a staunch supporter
- strong; solidly made; substantial
Etymology: OFr estanche, fem. of estanc, akin to v.
Usage Note For the adj.,staunch is now the prevailing form in the U.S.; for the v., usage is about evenly divided between staunch and stanch
staunch′ly adverb
staunch′·ness noun
staunch
Synonyms
staunch
Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- supporter: In the polling booth, tho, it has created conundrums, particularly for the most staunch of party supporters.
Object
- bleeding: Greg rushes to help Lynn and manages to staunch the bleeding until she can be taken to hospital.
- flow: The dried powdered leaves can also be used to staunch the flow of blood from small cuts.
- hemorrhage: The major achievement of 2005 has been to maintain the level of membership, staunching the hemorrhage of recent years.
- blood: This does not detract from the necessity when heavy bleeding is observed to examine the patient in order to try to staunch the blood.
- wound: You cannot staunch the wounds of a character who is having their wounds treated.
- loss: By amending the taxation of overseas income and by selective control over the export of capital, we have staunched this loss of resources.
Modifies a noun
- royalist: A staunch royalist, he lost three sons in the Civil War in the service of the King.
- supporter: I have been a staunch supporter of football in the town for over 78 years.
- ally: All states except Russia are staunch allies of the US.
- defender: Martin was a staunch defender of workers ' rights all his working life.
- advocate: He has long been a staunch advocate of a toll-free road system.
- opponent: She was a staunch opponent of the 1921 Treaty which gave Ireland dominion status within the British Empire.
Modifying Another Word
- even: Many in Ireland agreed that this was the patriotic thing to do - even staunch supporters of Home Rule.
- very: It was more of a shock that my Dad accepted cos he was a very staunch hindu.
- so: The Yankee States, of which he is so staunch a subject, are but a drop in the bucket.
- not: Even the capture of the undoubtedly vile Saddam Hussein has not staunched attacks on coalition troops or made the war any more popular.
- traditionally: Visit the traditionally staunch Labor former mining communities where I live.
- once: Wednesday May 3 I bump into Apu Bagchi, the once staunch Labor, now Independent candidate for Castle.
Used with adjective complement
- remain: They remained staunch to the end against odds uncounted, and fell with their faces to the foe.
Browse dictionary entries near staunch
- statutory voting
- statutory rape
- statutory offense
- statutory construction
- statutory
- statute of repose
- statute of limitations
- statute of frauds
- statute mile
- statute law
- staurolite
- Stavanger
- stave
- staves
- stavesacre
- Stavropol
- stay
- stay put
- staying power
- staysail
