Main Entry:

¹stanch

Pronunciation:

\ˈstȯnch, ˈstänch, ˈstanch\

Variant(s):

or staunch \ˈstȯnch, ˈstänch\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English staunchen, from Anglo-French estancher, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *stanticare, from Latin stant-, stans, present participle

Date:

14th century

1: to check or stop the flowing of <stanched her tears> ; also : to stop the flow of blood from (a wound)2archaic : allay, extinguish3 a: to stop or check in its course <trying to stanch the crime wave> b: to make watertight : stop up

— stanch·er noun