English

Alternative forms

• stanch

Adjective

staunch ‎(comparative stauncher, superlative staunchest)

1. loyal, trustworthy, reliable, outstanding

   He's been a staunch supporter of mine through every election.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses, Episode 16

     he relished a glass of choice old wine in season as both nourishing and bloodmaking and possessing aperient virtues (notably a good burgundy which he was a staunch believer in)

2. dependable, persistent

   Without our staunch front line the enemy would have split the regiment.

Translations

Verb

staunch ‎(third-person singular simple present staunches, present participle staunching, simple past and past participle staunched)

1. (transitive) To stop the flow of (blood).
2. (transitive) To stop, check, or deter an action.

   Somebody's got to staunch those press leaks!

Translations

Usage notes

The spelling staunch is more commonly used for the adjective. In contrast, stanch is more commonly used as the spelling of the verb.

Anagrams

• canthus
• chaunts