quench

quench

verb \ˈkwench\

Definition of QUENCH

transitive verb

1

a : put out, extinguish

b : to put out the light or fire of <quench glowing coals with water>

c : to cool (as heated metal) suddenly by immersion (as in oil or water)

d : to cause to lose heat or warmth <you have quenched the warmth of France toward you — Alfred Tennyson>

2

a : to bring (something immaterial) to an end typically by satisfying, damping, cooling, or decreasing <a rational understanding of the laws of nature can quench impossible desires — Lucius Garvin> <the praise that quenches all desire to read the book — T. S. Eliot>

b : to terminate by or as if by destroying : eliminate <the Commonwealth party quenched a whole generation of play-acting — Margery Bailey> <quench a rebellion>

c : to relieve or satisfy with liquid <quenched his thirst at a wayside spring>

intransitive verb

1

: to become extinguished : cool

2

: to become calm : subside

— quench·able \ˈkwen-chə-bəl\ adjective

— quench·er noun

— quench·less \ˈkwench-ləs\ adjective

Examples of QUENCH

1. <we thoroughly quenched the campfire before we headed to bed>
2. <this lemonade really quenches my thirst>

Origin of QUENCH

Middle English, from Old English -cwencan; akin to Old English -cwincan to vanish, OldFrisian quinka

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to QUENCH

Synonyms

blanket, douse (also dowse), put out, extinguish, snuff (out)

Antonyms

fire, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, light

Related Words

choke, smother, suffocate; blow out, rub out, snub (out), stamp (out), stub

Near Antonyms

arouse, excite, pique, stimulate; tantalize, tease

Rhymes with QUENCH

bench, Bench, blench, clench, drench, french, French, Hench, stench, tench, trench, wench, wrench