Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Stem
Stem
(stĕm)
, Noun.
1.
The principal body of a tree, shrub, or plant, of any kind; the main stock; the part which supports the branches or the head or top.
After they are shot up thirty feet in length, they spread a very large top, having no bough nor twig in the trunk or the
stem
. Sir W. Raleigh.
The lowering spring, with lavish rain,
Beats down the slender
Beats down the slender
stem
and breaded grain. Dryden.
2.
A little branch which connects a fruit, flower, or leaf with a main branch; a peduncle, pedicel, or petiole;
as, the
. stem
of an apple or a cherry3.
The stock of a family; a race or generation of progenitors.
“All that are of noble stem.” Milton.
While I do pray, learn here thy
And true descent.
stem
And true descent.
Herbert.
4.
A branch of a family.
This is a
Of that victorious stock.
stem
Of that victorious stock.
Shakespeare
5.
(Naut.)
A curved piece of timber to which the two sides of a ship are united at the fore end. The lower end of it is scarfed to the keel, and the bowsprit rests upon its upper end. Hence, the forward part of a vessel; the bow.
6.
Fig.: An advanced or leading position; the lookout.
Wolsey sat at the
stem
more than twenty years. Fuller.
7.
Anything resembling a stem or stalk;
as, the
stem
of a tobacco pipe; the stem
of a watch case, or that part to which the ring, by which it is suspended, is attached.8.
(Bot.)
That part of a plant which bears leaves, or rudiments of leaves, whether rising above ground or wholly subterranean.
9.
(Zool.)
(a)
The entire central axis of a feather.
(b)
The basal portion of the body of one of the Pennatulacea, or of a gorgonian.
10.
(Mus.)
The short perpendicular line added to the body of a note; the tail of a crotchet, quaver, semiquaver, etc.
11.
(Gram.)
The part of an inflected word which remains unchanged (except by euphonic variations) throughout a given inflection; theme; base.
From stem to stern
(Naut.)
, from one end of the ship to the other, or through the whole length.
– Stem leaf
(Bot.)
, a leaf growing from the stem of a plant, as contrasted with a basal or radical leaf.
Stem
,Verb.
T.
1.
To remove the stem or stems from;
as, to
; to remove the stem and its appendages (ribs and veins) from; stem
cherriesas, to
. stem
tobacco leaves2.
To ram, as clay, into a blasting hole.
Stem
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Stemmed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Stemming
.] [Either from
stem
, n., or akin to stammer
; cf. G. stemmen
to press against.] To oppose or cut with, or as with, the stem of a vessel; to resist, or make progress against; to stop or check the flow of, as a current.
“An argosy to stem the waves.” Shak.
[They]
stem
the flood with their erected breasts. Denham.
Stemmed
the wild torrent of a barbarous age. Pope.
Stem
,Verb.
I.
To move forward against an obstacle, as a vessel against a current.
Stemming
nightly toward the pole. Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Stem
STEM
,Noun.
1.
The principal body of a tree, shrub or plant of any kind; the main stock; the firm part which supports the branches.After thy are shot up thirty feet in length, they spread a very large top, having no bough or twig on the stem.
The lowring spring with lavish rain, beats down the slender stem and bearded grain.
2.
The peduncle of the fructification, or the pedicle of a flower; that which supports the flower or the fruit of a planet.3.
The stock of a family; a race or generation of progenitors; as a noble stem.Learn well their lineage and their ancient stem.
4.
Progeny; branch of a family.Of that victorious stock.
5.
In a ship, a circular piece of timber, to which the two sides of a ship are united at the fore end. The lower end of it is scarfed to the keel, and the bowsprit rests upon its upper end. From stem to stern, is from one end of the ship to the other, or through the whole length.STEM
,Verb.
T.
1.
To oppose or resist, as a current; or to make progress against a current. We say, the ship was not able with all her sails to stem the tide.They stem the flood with their erected breasts.
2.
To stop; to check; as a stream or moving force.At length Erasmus, that great injurd name, stemmd the wild torrent of a barbrous age, and drove those holy Vandals off the stage.