QUENCHING

extinction, extinguishing, quenching

(noun) the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning; “the extinction of the lights”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

quenching (countable and uncountable, plural quenchings)

(physics) The extinction of any of several physical properties.

(metallurgy) The rapid cooling of a hot metal object, by placing it in a liquid, in order to harden it.

Verb

quenching

present participle of quench

Source: Wiktionary

QUENCH

Quench, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quenched; p. pr. & vb. n. Quenching.] Etym: [OE. quenchen, AS. cwencan in acwencan, to extinguish utterly, causative of cwincan, acwincan, to decrease, disappear; cf. AS. cwinan, acwinan, 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.

Quench, v. i.

Definition: To become extinguished; to go out; to become calm or cool. [R.] Dost thou think in time She will not quench! Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition