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vanquish

 - 3 dictionary results

van⋅quish

[vang-kwish, van-]
–verb (used with object)
1. to conquer or subdue by superior force, as in battle.
2. to defeat in any contest or conflict; be victorious over: to vanquish one's opponent in an argument.
3. to overcome or overpower: He vanquished all his fears.

Origin:
1300–50; ME vencuschen, venquisshen < OF vencus ptp. and venquis past tense of veintre < L vincere to overcome


van⋅quish⋅a⋅ble, adjective
van⋅quish⋅er, noun
van⋅quish⋅ment, noun


1. subjugate, suppress, crush, quell.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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van·quish   (vāng'kwĭsh, vān'-)   
tr.v.   van·quished, van·quish·ing, van·quish·es
    1. To defeat or conquer in battle; subjugate.

    2. To defeat in a contest, conflict, or competition.

  1. To overcome or subdue (an emotion, for example); suppress: "She had had to wrench herself forcibly away from Katharine, and every step vanquished her desire" (Virginia Woolf). See Synonyms at defeat.


[Middle English vaynquisshen, from Old French vainquir, vainquiss-, from Latin vincere; see weik-3 in Indo-European roots.]
van'quish·a·ble adj., van'quish·er n., van'quish·ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

vanquish 
c.1330, from O.Fr. venquis (past tense), and vencus (p.p.), from veintre "defeat," from L. vincere "defeat" (see victor). Influenced in M.E. by M.Fr. vainquiss-, present stem of vainquir "conquer," from O.Fr. vainkir, alteration of veintre.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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