adj.
Pronunciation: ' sto ̇ nch, ' stänch, ' stanch
Variant: or staunch \ ' sto ̇ nch, ' stänch \
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 < stanch ed her tears> also : to stop the flow of blood from (a wound)
2 archaic : ALLAY , EXTINGUISH
3 a : to stop or check in its course <trying to stanch the crime wave> b : to make watertight : stop up
– stanch · er noun