To stop the flowing of, as blood; to check; also, to stop the flowing of blood from; as, to stanch a wound. [Written also staunch.] Iron or a stone laid to the neck doth stanch the bleeding of the nose. Bacon.
To extinguish; to quench, as fire or thirst. [Obs.]
To cease, as the flowing of blood. Immediately her issue of blood stanched. Luke viii. 44.
That which stanches or checks. [Obs.]
A flood gate by which water is accumulated, for floating a boat over a shallow part of a stream by its release. Knight.
Strong and tight; sound; firm; as, a stanch ship. One of the closets is parqueted with plain deal, set in diamond, exceeding stanch and pretty. Evelyn.
Firm in principle; constant and zealous; loyal; hearty; steady; steadfast; as, a stanch churchman; a stanch friend or adherent. V. Knox. In politics I hear you 're stanch. Prior.
Close; secret; private. [Obs.] This to be kept stanch. Locke.
To prop; to make stanch, or strong. His gathered sticks to stanch the wall Of the snow tower when snow should fall. Emerson.
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