stem

I

[[t]stɛm[/t]]

n. v. stemmed, stem•ming

1) bot the ascending axis of a plant, whether above or below ground, which ordinarily grows in an opposite direction to the root

2) bot the stalk that supports a leaf, flower, or fruit

3) bot a stalk of bananas

4) something resembling or suggesting a leaf or flower stalk

5) a long, slender part:

the stem of a tobacco pipe[/ex]

6) the slender, vertical part of a goblet, wineglass, etc., between the bowl and the base

7) hor a projection from the rim of a watch, having on its end a knob for winding the watch

8) bui the circular rod in some locks about which the key fits and rotates

9) the stock or line of descent of a family, esp. its original ancestry

10) gram. the underlying form of a word, consisting of a root alone or a root plus an affix, to which inflectional endings may be added

11) mad the vertical line forming part of a musical note

12) the main or relatively thick stroke of a letter in printing

13) to remove the stem from (a leaf, fruit, etc.)

14) to arise or originate (usu. fol. by from)

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Etymology: bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE stemn, stefn, akin to MD, MLG, OHG stam stem, OONstamn stem III stem′less, adj. stem′like`, adj. II

stem

[[t]stɛm[/t]] v. stemmed, stem•ming, n.

1) to stop, check, or restrain

2) civ to dam up; stop the flow of (a stream, river, or the like)

3) bui to tamp, plug, or make tight, as a hole or joint

4) spo to maneuver (a ski or skis) in executing a stem

5) to stanch (bleeding)

6) spo to execute a stem

7) spo an act or instance whereby a skier pushes the heel of one or both skis outward, as in making certain turns or to slow down

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Etymology: 1400–50; late ME stemmen < ON stemma to dam III

stem

[[t]stɛm[/t]] n. v. stemmed, stem•ming

1) naut. navig. (at the bow of a vessel) an upright into which the side timbers or plates are jointed

2) naut. navig. the forward part of a vessel

(often opposed to stern II)

3) navig. to make headway against (a tide, current, gale, etc.)

4) to make progress against (any opposition)

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Etymology: bef. 900; continuing OE stefn, stemn (see stem I); ME stampne, stamyn(e) appar. < the c. ON stamn, stafn