stanch
adjective
1. Strong and tight; sound; firm.
- a stanch ship
2. Firm in principle; constant and zealous; loyal; hearty; steadfast.
- a stanch churchman; a stanch friend or adherent
3. Close; secret; private.
noun
1. That which stanches or checks.
2. A floodgate by which water is accumulated, for floating a boat over a shallow part of a stream by its release.