staunch1
[stawnch]
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staunch2
[stawnch, stahnch]
- 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.
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Also stanch.
Origin of staunch2
1375–1425; late Middle English sta(u)nch < Middle French estanche (feminine), estanc (masculine), derivative of estancher to stanch1
Synonyms
See more synonyms for staunch on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for staunch
Contemporary Examples
Greste has also taken a stand in prison as a staunch critic of what has transpired.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015Movements.Org
December 25, 2014
Turkey has been a candidate to the European Union since 1999 and a staunch NATO partner since 1952.
Allah, Mom, and Baklava: Turkish President Uses Mothers and Kids as Political PawnsXanthe Ackerman
November 27, 2014
It seemed that I, a staunch feminist, had found myself in the epicenter of macho culture.
Two years ago, lawmakers in this staunch pro-labor stronghold passed anti-union right-to-work laws.
He delivered a staunch anti-drug speech to a crowd of 1,100 students.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th AnniversaryMarlow Stern
October 19, 2014
Historical Examples
The staunch old gentleman was still in his trust; had never left it.
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens
Pee-wee's loyalty was so staunch that he did not even consider the things his aunt had said.
Pee-wee HarrisPercy Keese Fitzhugh
Decimus Saxon is staunch, though, and that word shall never be spoken.'
Micah ClarkeArthur Conan Doyle
There was the corner grocer, too, with whom I pretended to be staunch friends.
The HarborErnest Poole
If you ever acted like staunch fellows, you will do so to-day.
Barnaby RudgeCharles Dickens
staunch1
- loyal, firm, and dependablea staunch supporter
- solid or substantial in construction
- rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy
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Word Origin
C15: (originally: watertight): from Old French estanche, from estanchier to stanch
staunch2
- a variant spelling of stanch
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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
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper