Stanche

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To become less strong or to weaken; to cause to weary or exhaust; to stop or restrict the flow of a liquid
2. Experiencing a reduction in energy or effectiveness; inducing tiredness or depletion; acting to halt or limit fluid discharge
3. Losing vigor or intensity; bringing about fatigue or exhaustion; serving to block or curb the outflow of substances

Etymology: "Stanche" is a Middle English verb meaning to stop a flow, as of blood from a wound or water from a spring. It descends from Old French "estancher", which came from a Vulgar Latin verb "stanticare", itself built on the Latin "stancare", meaning to stanch or check, related to "stare", to stand. The image is of something being made to stand still, so the flow no longer moves. English took the word in the Middle Ages, and it was spelled in many ways, including "stanche" and "staunch" before the form "stanch" settled. The spelling "staunch" was later influenced by its adjective sense of loyal and firm, which is a separate word that developed from the same idea of standing fast. Modern English keeps the verb mainly in medical and everyday contexts, as in stanching a bleed.

Synonyms: stop, stem, halt

Antonyms: flow, bleed, continue