staunch Hear it!

staunch Definition

staunch (stônc̸h, stänc̸h)

transitive verb

  1. to stop or check (the flow of blood or of tears, etc.) from (a wound, opening, etc.)
    1. to stop or lessen (the flow or drain of funds, resources, etc.)
    2. to stop up or close off (a source of draining or leakage)
  3. Now Chiefly Dial.
    1. to quench; quell
    2. 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

  1. watertight; seaworthy a staunch ship
  2. firm; steadfast; loyal a staunch supporter
  3. 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 Related Forms
staunch′ly adverb staunch′·ness noun
staunch Synonyms

staunch

modif.

steadfast, strong, constant; see faithful, firm 1. See syn. study at faithful.

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.