"Stanch" or "Staunch"? (with examples from SGA)
Two words, both alike in dignity, in fair Grammaria where we lay our scene…
There are no star-crossed lovers here, only a pair of homophones (words that sound alike but are spelled differently) that are surprisingly interchangeable.
Technically, either version is correct. It is in the realm of common use where the preferred spelling of one over the other takes place.
It all depends on whether you are using the word as a verb or as an adjective.
stanch: transitive verb, stanched also staunched, stanching also staunching, stanches also staunches
(1) To stop or check the flow of (blood or tears, for example).
(2) To stop the flow of blood from (a wound).
(3) To stop, or check in its course.
(4) To make watertight.
(5) archaic: to allay, or extinguish
Stanch, here, is most commonly used in reference to tending wounds that are bleeding freely, or to stopping the flow of other liquids.
John bent low across Rodney's body and began to stanch the bleeding, pressing a his hands against the wound.
A rag, hastily tied around the pipe, served to stanch the seeping water for the time being.
Stanch can also be used in reference to the halting or cessation of something.
Ronon fired a rapid volley at the door, trying to stanch the wave of Wraith that were determined to assault the gate room at any cost.
She waved her hand, stanching his fears with the strength and conviction behind that one gesture.
Stanch is the more common and preferred spelling for the verb, although it is completely interchangeable with staunch. For the sake of clarity, it's recommended that you use stanch for this usage, to avoid confusion.
It should be noted that staunch is the preferred British variant. You would very rarely see stanch in a British context.
Staunch: (adjective) stauncher also stancher, staunchest also stanchest
1. Firm and steadfast; true.
2. Having a strong or substantial construction or constitution.
Staunch, here, is most commonly used in reference to allies or the best of friends.
It was the incident with the lemon (that most dastardly of all citrus fruit) that had confirmed it. John Sheppard was his friend; a good friend, even a staunch friend, despite his regrettable penchant for lime top notes in his cologne.
"What do you mean, they've refused our request?" she cried. "They're supposed to be our staunchest allies!"
Staunch can also be used to describe an object. It is a direct reference to the worthiness of the object to withstand the elements, or stand up to attack.
She was a staunch vessel, the Daedalus. The pride of the entire fleet.
Teyla ran her hands over the bulkheads. Made of reinforced steel, they were a staunch barrier against anything the Wraith could throw at them.
Although staunch and stanch are technically interchangeable for this usage, stanch is deemed archaic and has fallen out of favor. It is recommended that you use staunch for the adjective to avoid confusion.
British spelling favors staunch for both usages of the word.
* dictionary definitions from Merriam-Webster online.
To sum up:
Stanch is more common than staunch as the spelling of the verb. Staunch is more common than stanch as the spelling of the adjective.
British usage favors staunch for both meanings.
There are no star-crossed lovers here, only a pair of homophones (words that sound alike but are spelled differently) that are surprisingly interchangeable.
Technically, either version is correct. It is in the realm of common use where the preferred spelling of one over the other takes place.
It all depends on whether you are using the word as a verb or as an adjective.
stanch: transitive verb, stanched also staunched, stanching also staunching, stanches also staunches
(1) To stop or check the flow of (blood or tears, for example).
(2) To stop the flow of blood from (a wound).
(3) To stop, or check in its course.
(4) To make watertight.
(5) archaic: to allay, or extinguish
Stanch, here, is most commonly used in reference to tending wounds that are bleeding freely, or to stopping the flow of other liquids.
John bent low across Rodney's body and began to stanch the bleeding, pressing a his hands against the wound.
A rag, hastily tied around the pipe, served to stanch the seeping water for the time being.
Stanch can also be used in reference to the halting or cessation of something.
Ronon fired a rapid volley at the door, trying to stanch the wave of Wraith that were determined to assault the gate room at any cost.
She waved her hand, stanching his fears with the strength and conviction behind that one gesture.
Stanch is the more common and preferred spelling for the verb, although it is completely interchangeable with staunch. For the sake of clarity, it's recommended that you use stanch for this usage, to avoid confusion.
It should be noted that staunch is the preferred British variant. You would very rarely see stanch in a British context.
Staunch: (adjective) stauncher also stancher, staunchest also stanchest
1. Firm and steadfast; true.
2. Having a strong or substantial construction or constitution.
Staunch, here, is most commonly used in reference to allies or the best of friends.
It was the incident with the lemon (that most dastardly of all citrus fruit) that had confirmed it. John Sheppard was his friend; a good friend, even a staunch friend, despite his regrettable penchant for lime top notes in his cologne.
"What do you mean, they've refused our request?" she cried. "They're supposed to be our staunchest allies!"
Staunch can also be used to describe an object. It is a direct reference to the worthiness of the object to withstand the elements, or stand up to attack.
She was a staunch vessel, the Daedalus. The pride of the entire fleet.
Teyla ran her hands over the bulkheads. Made of reinforced steel, they were a staunch barrier against anything the Wraith could throw at them.
Although staunch and stanch are technically interchangeable for this usage, stanch is deemed archaic and has fallen out of favor. It is recommended that you use staunch for the adjective to avoid confusion.
British spelling favors staunch for both usages of the word.
* dictionary definitions from Merriam-Webster online.
To sum up:
Stanch is more common than staunch as the spelling of the verb. Staunch is more common than stanch as the spelling of the adjective.
British usage favors staunch for both meanings.