Middle English Dictionary Entry
staunch(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | staunch(e adj. Also stanch & (error) stinx. |
| Etymology | OF estanche, AF estaunche, vars. of estanc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Water-tight, solidly made; also, in good repair or condition; (b) firm, intact; certain; (c) of a wound: staunched; of a wounded person: not bleeding; of a stuffed capon: firmly closed; (d) ?strong, powerful; (e) as adv.: firmly, soundly.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.652 : Þe schip..was so stawnche it myȝt no water lade.
- (1455-6) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1290 : The sayd Jhon shall repeyre sayd towyr and..kepe hite upe styf and stanch duryng the terme forsayde.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)174 : Þyne ypocras is made parfite & welle; y wold þan ye put it in staunche & a clene vesselle.
b
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)29.162 : Thus was Eve In Clene virginite Whanne Owt Of paradis Cast was sche..Virginite with-Inne here was ful staunch.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)961 : To a staunche deth I stakyr and stale.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.1918 : He was bonde sore, His wounde staunche [vr. staunched], þat it bled no more.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.5309 : Whan he was staunche [vr. staunchyd] & cesseþ for to blede, In al haste ageyn he toke his stede.
- ?a1475 Noble Bk.Cook.(Hlk 674)67 : Fers the capon..and let hym be stanche at the vent and at the gorge that the stuffur go not out.
d
- a1450 Dur-CRO.Bk.Hawking (Dur-CRO Roll D/X/76/7)28/115 : A whitemaled hawke, a canvas male, a rede male, and an hawk þat hath a stinx [?read: stanch] wyng [Sln.Bk.Hawking 143: faire winges].
e
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)12.305 : In bechen baskettis men saue also This fruyt, so they be staunche ywrie.