Van″quish (văṉ″kwĭsh), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Vanquished (–kwĭsht); p. pr. & vb. n.Vanquishing.] [OE. venquishen, venquissen, venkisen, F. vaincre, pret. vainquis, OF. veintre, pret. venqui, venquis (cf. an OF. infin. vainquir), fr. L. vincere; akin to AS. wīg war, battle, wīgend a warrior, wīgan to contend, fight, OHG. wīgant a warrior, wīgan to fight, Icel. vīg battle, Goth. weihan to fight, contend. Cf. Convince, Evict, Invincible, Victor.] 1. To conquer, overcome, or subdue in battle, as an enemy. Hakluyt.
They... vanquished the rebels in all encounters. Clarendon.
2. Hence, to defeat in any contest; to get the better of; to put down; to refute.
This bold assertion has been fully vanquished in a late reply to the Bishop of Meaux's treatise. Atterbury.
For e'en though vanquished, he could argue still. Goldsmith.
Syn. — To conquer; surmount; overcome; confute; silence. See Conquer.