I. ˈstanchən, -taan- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English stanchon, from Middle French estanchon prop, supporting post, from Old French, from estance, estanche position, act of staying, prop, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin stantia act of standing or staying, from Latin stant-, stans (present participle of stare to stand) + -ia -y — more at stand
1. : an upright bar, post, prop, brace, or support (as for a roof, a ship's deck, an awning) ; specifically : an iron mullion in a leaded window
2. : a device that fits loosely around a cow's neck and limits forward and backward motion while commonly permitting a lateral swinging motion
3. : a traffic sign mounted on a portable stand
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to provide with stanchions : support, prop, or brace with or as if with a stanchion
stanchioning themselves against the wind
stanchion a sagging beam
2. : to secure (as a cow) by a stanchion
the herd was stanchioned and fed