Definition of vanquish

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< vanpool

Van Rensselaer, Killian >

van·quish    (vngkwsh, vn-) KEY  

TRANSITIVE VERB:
van·quished , van·quish·ing , van·quish·es

1. 1. To defeat or conquer in battle; subjugate.
   2. To defeat in a contest, conflict, or competition.
2. To overcome or subdue (an emotion, for example); suppress: "She had had to wrench herself forcibly away from Katharine, and every step vanquished her desire" (Virginia Woolf). See Synonyms at defeat.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English vaynquisshen, from Old French vainquir , vainquiss-, from Latin vincere; see weik- ³ in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
vanquish·a·ble (Adjective), vanquish·er (Noun), vanquish·ment (Noun)

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