Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “staunch” come from?

Staunch comes from Middle English staunche, from Old French estanche, a word of uncertain ultimate origin.

staunch (English): Loyal, trustworthy, reliable; Dependable,...

Definitions

  1. Loyal, trustworthy, reliable; Dependable,...

Ancestry of “staunch”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishstaunche—
2Old Frenchestanchefirm, watertight
3Old Frenchestancpond
4Old Frenchestanchierto staunch
5Vulgar Latinstanticareto make stagnant
6Latinstānticus—
7Latinstāns—
8Latinstō—
9Proto-Italicstaēōstand
10Proto-Indo-Europeansth₂éh₁yeti—
11Proto-Indo-European*steh₂-—

Words derived from “staunch”

  • staunchly
  • staunchness
  • stauncher
  • unstaunchable
Every word from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- →