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2 definitions found
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
quenching
noun: the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning; "the
extinction of the lights" [syn: {extinction}, {extinguishing}]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Quench \Quench\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Quenched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quenching}.] [OE. quenchen, AS. cwencan in [=a]cwencan, to
extinguish utterly, causative of cwincan, [=a]cwincan, to
decrease, disappear; cf. AS. cw[=i]nan, [=a]cw[=i]nan, to
waste or dwindle away.]
1. To extinguish; to overwhelm; to make an end of; -- said of
flame and fire, of things burning, and figuratively of
sensations and emotions; as, to quench flame; to quench a
candle; to quench thirst, love, hate, etc.
Ere our blood shall quench that fire. --Shak.
The supposition of the lady's death
Will quench the wonder of her infamy. --Shak.
2. To cool suddenly, as heated steel, in tempering.
Syn: To extinguish; still; stifle; allay; cool; check.
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