quench

1 syllable

Quick answer

As a verb, quench means satisfy, especially a literal or figurative thirst. As a noun, it means the act of quenching something.

Meanings of quench

14 meanings

To satisfy, especially a literal or figurative thirst.
“The library quenched her thirst for knowledge.”
To extinguish or put out (as a fire or light).
metallurgyTo cool rapidly by direct contact with liquid coolant, as a blacksmith quenching hot iron.
“The swordsmith quenched the sword in an oil bath so that it wouldn't shatter.”
chemistryTo terminate or greatly diminish (a chemical reaction) by destroying or deforming the remaining reagents.
physicsTo rapidly change the parameters of a physical system.
physicsTo rapidly terminate the operation of a superconducting electromagnet by causing part or all of the magnet's windings to enter the normal, resistive state.
“If someone is pinned against the MRI magnet by a ferromagnetic object, you may need to quench the magnet in order to free them.”
Put out, as of fires, flames, or lightsweather
“Too big to be extinguished at once, the forest fires at best could be contained”
“quench the flames”
“snuff out the candles”
Similar: snuff out, blow out, extinguish
Suppress (sparking) when the current is cut off in an inductive circuit, or suppress (an oscillation or discharge) in a component or device
Suppress or crush completely
“squelch any sign of dissent”
“quench a rebellion”
Similar: squelch, quell
Reduce the degree of (luminescence or phosphorescence) in (excited molecules or a material) by adding a suitable substance
Cool (hot metal) by plunging into cold water or other liquid
“quench steel”

The act of quenching something; the fact of being quenched.
physicsThe abnormal termination of operation of a superconducting magnet, occurring when part of the superconducting coil enters the normal (resistive) state.
physicsA rapid change of the parameters of a physical system.

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).