definitions

staunch

1
[ stawnch ]
/ stɔntʃ /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR staunch ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object), noun

stanch1.

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RELATED WORDS

steadfast, reliable, trustworthy, loyal, stout, ardent, stalwart, sound, firm, secure, fast, stable, true, constant, faithful, inflexible, stiff, strong, sure, tough

Nearby words

staubach, staudinger, stauffenberg, staumrel, staun, staunch, staunchly, staunton, staurion, staurolite, staurolitic

Definition for staunch (2 of 2)

staunch

2
[ stawnch, stahnch ]
/ stɔntʃ, stɑntʃ /

adjective, staunch·er, staunch·est.

firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person: a staunch Republican; a staunch friend.
characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty: He delivered a staunch defense of the government.
strong; substantial: a staunch little hut in the woods.
impervious to water or other liquids; watertight: a staunch vessel.
Also stanch.

Origin of staunch

2
1375–1425; late Middle English sta(u)nch < Middle French estanche (feminine), estanc (masculine), derivative of estancher to stanch1
SYNONYMS FOR staunch
1 constant, true, faithful. See steadfast.
2 resolute.
3 stout, sound.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR staunch ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formsstaunch·ly, adverbstaunch·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for staunch

British Dictionary definitions for staunch (1 of 2)

staunch

1
/ (stɔːntʃ) /

adjective

loyal, firm, and dependablea staunch supporter
solid or substantial in construction
rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy
Derived Formsstaunchly, adverbstaunchness, noun

Word Origin for staunch

C15: (originally: watertight): from Old French estanche, from estanchier to stanch

British Dictionary definitions for staunch (2 of 2)

staunch

2
/ (stɔːntʃ) /

verb, noun

a variant spelling of stanch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for staunch

staunch

adj.

early 15c., "impervious to water," from Old French estanche "firm, watertight," fem. of estanc "dried, exhausted, wearied, vanquished," from Vulgar Latin *stanticare, probably from Latin stans (genitive stantis), present participle of stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Sense of "strong, substantial" first recorded mid-15c.; of persons, "standing firm and true to one's principles" from 1620s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper