étancher

Senses

1. 1.

   to quench; to slake

   to satisfy (thirst) by drinking

2. 2.

   to stop; to seal

   to stop a leak or flow; to make waterproof

Examples

• "Elle a bu un verre d'eau pour étancher sa soif."

  She drank a glass of water to quench her thirst.

• "Le plombier a étanché la fuite dans le tuyau."

  The plumber sealed the leak in the pipe.

• "Étancher l'hémorragie est la priorité médicale."

  Stopping the bleeding is the medical priority.

Usage

A regular -er verb. Most commonly used in the phrase "étancher sa soif" (to quench one's thirst), though it also appears in medical or technical contexts meaning to stop a flow. Somewhat formal in register.