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adj. staunch·er, staunch·est also stanch·er or stanch·est 1. Firm and steadfast; loyal or true. See Synonyms at faithful. 2. Having a strong or substantial construction or constitution: "the staunch turrets of the fortified city walls" (Robert Rosenberg). [Middle English staunche, from Anglo-Norman estaunche, from estaunchier, to stanch, variant of Old French estanchier; see STANCH1.] staunchly adv. staunchness n. Usage Note: Staunch is more common than stanch as the spelling of the adjective. Stanch is more common than staunch as the spelling of the verb. |
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