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staunch1

Syllabification: (staunch)

Pronunciation: /stônCH, stänCH/

Translate staunch | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of staunch

adjective

1loyal and committed in attitude:a staunch supporter of the antinuclear lobby a staunch Catholic

2(of a wall) of strong or firm construction.
(also stanch) archaic (of a ship) watertight.

Derivatives

staunchly
staunchness

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'watertight'): from Old French estanche, feminine of estanc, from a Romance base meaning 'dried up, weary'. Sense 1 dates from the early 17th century