Definition of quench

The word "quench" has its origins in Old French, where it was written as "chenchier". This Old French verb is derived from the Latin "incendere", which means "to set on fire". In the 14th century, the French word evolved into "eschanter", which was later borrowed into Middle English as "enschenten". Over time, the spelling and meaning of the word changed, and by the 15th century, "quench" had acquired its modern sense, meaning "to satisfy or extinguish a strong desire or thirst". Initially used to describe the putting out of fires, the word "quench" expanded its meaning to encompass extinguishing other intense forces, such as thirst, hunger, or even love. Today, "quench" is used in various contexts, including chemistry, where it refers to the ability of a substance to absorb or remove excess heat or energy.