staunch

物理学者のStephen Hawking氏が過去の研究の中で最大の間違いがあったことを認めました。

Stephen Hawking admits the biggest blunder of his scientific career - early belief that everything swallowed up by a black hole must be lost forever

Cosmologist also predicts the end of humanity on Earth and urges continuation of space exploration

M-theory combines several ideas in physics and mathematics, including the suggestion that there are several dimensions in the fabric of space-time. Professor Hawking has been a staunch supporter of m-theory, believing that it will lead to a single, unified theory to explain all the laws and observations of physics.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking-admits-the-biggest-blunder-of-his-scientific-career--early-belief-that-everything-swallowed-up-by-a-black-hole-must-be-lost-forever-8568418.html

staunchを取り上げます。早速手持ちの辞書で、第一義を見てみると、「（（正式））＜血を＞止める（stop）；＜傷口の＞血を止める」（『ジーニアス英和辞典　第３版』大修館）と記載されていましたが、文中では、「（（正式））信頼に足る、忠実な（faithful）」（ibid）という意味になります。念のため、ODOでも調べてみると、‘very loyal and committed in attitude’と記載されていました。

宇宙はまだまだ謎に包まれていますね。(Shou-VR*)