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 staunchest
Contemporary Examples
Ironically, according to Hitner, women were some of his staunchest allies in getting the Massachusetts law reformed.
Earlier this year, in fact, Krugman managed to offend some of his staunchest ideological confreres.
Passages in which Knox contemplates suicide—and even how she would do it—will surely soften even her staunchest critics.
How come the turnout is higher, if most of Netanyahu's staunchest opponents expect him to remain in office?
Holbrooke could be exhausting, even to his staunchest allies and defenders.
Historical Examples
I used to be one of his staunchest supporters, but I draw the line at lunacy.
Ireland as It IsRobert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
He was one of Harry Hamilton's staunchest friends and admirers.
A Voyage with Captain DynamiteCharles Edward Rich
No, simpleton, he is one of the staunchest we have for the Ministry.
The Journal to StellaJonathan Swift
My family had been among the staunchest of Lutherans for generations.
Wagner as I Knew HimFerdinand Christian Wilhelm Praeger
And Emma's brother, the son of William's staunchest vassal, how fared he?
The Siege of Norwich CastleMatilda Maria Blake
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 staunchest
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