n.
Pronunciation: ' stem
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stefn, stemn stem of a plant or ship; akin to Old High German stam plant stem and probably to Greek stamnos wine jar, histanai to set ― more at STAND
Date: before 12th century
1 a : the main trunk of a plant specifically : a primary plant axis that develops buds and shoots instead of roots b : a plant part (as a branch, petiole, or stipe) that supports another (as a leaf or fruit) c : the complete fruiting stalk of a banana plant with its bananas
2 a : the main upright member at the bow of a ship b : the bow or prow of a ship ― compare STERN
3 : a line of ancestry : STOCK especially : a fundamental line from which others have arisen
4 : the part of an inflected word that remains after the inflected part is removed < strength is the stem of strengths > also : ROOT 6
5 : something held to resemble a plant stem: as a : a main or heavy stroke of a letter b : the short perpendicular line extending from the head of a musical note c : the part of a tobacco pipe from the bowl outward d : the cylindrical support of a piece of stemware (as a goblet) e : a shaft of a watch used for winding
– from stem to stern : THROUGHOUT , THOROUGHLY