Estanca

Estanca is a term that may appear in Spanish-language texts as a grammatical form of the verb estancar, meaning to block, stop, or stall. In general usage it can describe blocking the flow of water or delaying a process, and it may be used figuratively to indicate hindering progress.

As a grammatical form, estanca is the third-person singular present indicative: él estanca.

Estanca can also occur as a proper noun, though this usage is less common and typically arises as a surname or place name in some contexts.

Related forms include estancado (stagnant) and estancamiento (stagnation). The similar-looking term estanco refers to a shop licensed to sell restricted goods or to something sealed or airtight, and it is not the same as estanca.