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Webster 1913 Edition


Stamen

Sta′men

(stā′mĕn)
,
Noun.
;
pl. E.
Stamens
(-mĕnz)
(used only in the second sense); L.
Stamina
(stăm′ĭ-nȧ)
(in the first sense).
[L.
stamen
the warp, a thread, fiber, akin to Gr.
στήμων
the warp, fr.
ἰστάναι
to stand, akin to E.
stand
. See
Stand
, and cf.
Stamin
,
Stamina
.]
1.
A thread; especially, a warp thread.
2.
(pl.
Stamens
, rarely
Stamina
.)
(Bot.)
The male organ of flowers for secreting and furnishing the pollen or fecundating dust. It consists of the
anther
and
filament
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Stamen

STAMEN

,
Noun.
plu.
stamens or stamina. [L. This word belong to the root of sto, stabilis, or of stage.]
1.
In a general sense, usually in the plural, the fixed, firm part of a body, which supports it or gives it its strength and solidity. Thus we say, the bones are the stamina of animal bodies; the ligneous parts of trees are the stamina which constitute their strength. Hence,
2.
Whatever constitutes the principal strength or support of any thing; as the stamina of a constitution or of life; the stamina of a stage.
3.
In botany, an organ of flowers for the preparation of the pollen or fecundating dust. It consists of the filament and the anther. It is considered as the male organ of fructification.