First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
quench
verb \ˈkwench\
: to stop (a fire) from burning : to put out (a fire)
Full Definition of QUENCH
transitive verb
1
a : put out, extinguish b : to put out the light or fire of <quench glowing coals with water> c : to cool (as heated metal) suddenly by immersion (as in oil or water) d : to cause to lose heat or warmth <you have quenched the warmth of France toward you — Alfred Tennyson>
2
a : to bring (something immaterial) to an end typically by satisfying, damping, cooling, or decreasing <a rational understanding of the laws of nature can quench impossible desires — Lucius Garvin> <the praise that quenches all desire to read the book — T. S. Eliot> b : to terminate by or as if by destroying : eliminate <the Commonwealth party quenched a whole generation of play-acting — Margery Bailey> <quench a rebellion> c : to relieve or satisfy with liquid <quenched his thirst at a wayside spring>
intransitive verb
1
: to become extinguished : cool
2
: to become calm : subside
— quench·able \ˈkwen-chə-bəl\ adjective
— quench·er noun
— quench·less \ˈkwench-ləs\ adjective
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Origin of QUENCH
Middle English, from Old English -cwencan; akin to Old English -cwincan to vanish, OldFrisian quinka
Related to QUENCH
QUENCHER Defined for Kids
quench
verb \ˈkwench\
quenchedquench·ing
Definition of QUENCH for Kids
1
: to end by satisfying <The drink quenched my thirst.>
2
: to put out (as a fire)
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