stancher

Stancher \Stanch"er\ (st[.a]nch"[~e]r), n.
   One who, or that which, stanches, or stops, the flowing, as
   of blood.
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Stanch \Stanch\, a. [Compar. {Stancher} (-[~e]r); superl.
   {Stanchest}.] [From {Stanch}, v. t., and hence literally
   signifying, stopped or stayed; cf. Sp. estanco stopped,
   tight, not leaky, as a ship. See {Stanch}, v. t.] [Written
   also {staunch}.]
   1. Strong and tight; sound; firm; as, a stanch ship.
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            One of the closets is parqueted with plain deal, set
            in diamond, exceeding stanch and pretty. --Evelyn.
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   2. Firm in principle; constant and zealous; loyal; hearty;
      steady; steadfast; as, a stanch churchman; a stanch friend
      or adherent. --V. Knox.
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            In politics I hear you 're stanch.    --Prior.
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   3. Close; secret; private. [Obs.]
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            This is to be kept stanch.            --Locke.
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