- vanquish (v.)
- early 14c., from Old French venquis (past tense), and vencus (p.p.), from veintre "defeat," from Latin vincere "defeat" (see victor). Influenced in Middle English by Middle French vainquiss-, present stem of vainquir "conquer," from Old French vainkir, alteration of veintre. Related: Vanquished; vanquishing.