Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Stanch?

\Stanch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stanched}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Stanching}.] [OF. estanchier, F. ['e]tancher to stpo a liquid from flowing; akin to Pr., Sp., & Pg. estancar, It. stancare to weary, LL. stancare, stagnare, to stanch, fr. L. stagnare to be or make stagnant. See {Stagnate}.] 1. To stop the flowing of, as blood; to check; also, to stop the flowing of blood from; as, to stanch a wound. [Written also {staunch}.] Iron or a stone laid to the neck doth stanch the bleeding of the nose. --Bacon. 2. To extinguish; to quench, as fire or thirst. [Obs.]
\Stanch\, v. i. To cease, as the flowing of blood. Immediately her issue of blood stanched. --Luke viii. 44.
\Stanch\, n. 1. That which stanches or checks. [Obs.] 2. A flood gate by which water is accumulated, for floating a boat over a shallow part of a stream by its release. --Knight.
\Stanch\, a. [Compar. {Stancher}; superl. {Stanchest}.] [From {Stanch}, v. t., and hence literally signifying, stopped or stayed; cf. Sp. estanco stopped, tight, not leaky, as a ship. See {Stanch}, v. t.] [Written also {staunch}.] 1. Strong and tight; sound; firm; as, a stanch ship. One of the closets is parqueted with plain deal, set in diamond, exceeding stanch and pretty. --Evelyn. 2. Firm in principle; constant and zealous; loyal; hearty; steady; steadfast; as, a stanch churchman; a stanch friend or adherent. --V. Knox. In politics I hear you 're stanch. --Prior. 3. Close; secret; private. [Obs.] This to be kept stanch. --Locke.
\Stanch\, v. t. To prop; to make stanch, or strong. His gathered sticks to stanch the wall Of the snow tower when snow should fall. --Emerson.