Definition of staunch

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< Staubach, Roger Thomas

staunch >

staunch¹    (stônch, stänch) KEY  also stanch  (stônch, stänch, stnch) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:
staunch·er, also stanch·er staunch·est, also stanch·est

1. Firm and steadfast; true. See Synonyms at faithful.
2. Having a strong or substantial construction or constitution.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English staunche, from Anglo-Norman estaunche, from estaunchier, to stanch, variant of Old French estanchier ; see stanch¹

OTHER FORMS:
staunchly(Adverb), staunchness(Noun)
Usage Note:
Staunch is more common than stanch as the spelling of the adjective. Stanch is more common than staunch as the spelling of the verb.