staunch

[stawnch, stahnch]

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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

1375–1425; late Middle English sta(u)nch < Middle French estanche (feminine), estanc (masculine), derivative of estancher to stanch¹

Related formsstaunch·ly, adverbstaunch·ness, noun

Synonyms for staunch

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1. constant, true, faithful. See steadfast. 2. resolute. 3. stout, sound.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for staunchness

faith, fidelity, fealty, patriotism, honesty, support, allegiance, obedience, reliability, sincerity, adherence, tie, integrity, honor, devotion, trustworthiness, decision, settlement, verdict, perseverance

Examples from the Web for staunchness

Historical Examples of staunchness

It was old Frank's staunchness that brought calamity upon him.
Frank of Freedom Hill
Samuel A. Derieux
He might be unscrupulous, he might be unreliable, but he stood by himself for staunchness and the will to help.
Young Blood
E. W. Hornung
But what they lacked in warcraft they redeemed in staunchness.
Northern Spain
Edgar T. A. Wigram
They induced the French to respect the staunchness of the German spirit.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6)
Heinrich Graetz
The gallant regulars resisted with the staunchness of their professional esprit, and refused to yield an inch.
The Regular Brigade of the Fourteenth Army Corps, the Army of the Cumberland, in the Battle of Stone River, or Murfreesboro', Tennessee
Frederick Phisterer

British Dictionary definitions for staunchness

staunch

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

staunch

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 staunchness

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.