Wiktionary:Word of the day/2023/October 18

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stanch v (especially American spelling)

(transitive, archaic except poetic) To stop the flow of (water or some other liquid). To stop the flow of (blood); also, to stop (a wound) from bleeding. To make (a building or other structure) watertight or weatherproof. (transitive) To check or stop, or deter (an action). To stop the progression of (an illness); also, to alleviate (pain); often followed by of: to relieve (someone's) pain. (transitive, obsolete) To extinguish or put out (a fire, anger, etc.); also, to quench or satisfy (desire, hunger, thirst, etc.). (intransitive, also reflexive) Of bleeding: to stop. (intransitive, also reflexive, obsolete) Of an occurrence or other thing: to come to an end; to cease; also, of persons: to stop acting violently. [...] stanch n A floodgate by which water is accumulated, for floating a boat over a shallow part of a stream by its release; also, a dam or lock in a river.

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