tr.v. van·quished, van·quish·ing, van·quish·es 1. a. To defeat or conquer in battle; subjugate. b. To defeat in a contest, conflict, or competition. See Synonyms at defeat. 2. 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). [Middle English vaynquisshen, from Old French vainquir, vainquiss-, from Latin vincere; see weik-3 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] vanquish·a·ble adj. vanquish·er n. vanquish·ment n. |
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