[stem] n [ME, fr. OE stefn, stemn stem of a plant or ship; akin to OHG stam plant stem and prob. to Gk stamnos wine jar, histanai to set--more at stand] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the main trunk of a plant; specif: 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; esp: a fundamental line from which others have arisen
4: the part of an inflected word that remains unchanged except by phonetic changes or variations throughout an inflection
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
[2]stem vt stemmed ; stem.ming [ME (Sc) stemmen to keep a course, fr. [1]stem (of a ship)] (1593) 1: to make headway against (as an adverse tide, current, or wind)
2: to check or go counter to (something adverse) -- stem.mer n [3]stem vb stemmed ; stem.ming [[1]stem (of a plant)] vt (1724) 1: to remove the stem from
2: to make stems for (as artificial flowers) ~ vi: to occur or develop as a consequence: have or trace an origin "her success ~s from hard work" syn see spring -- stem.mer n [4]stem vb stemmed ; stem.ming [ME stemmen to dam up, fr. ON stemma; akin to MHG stemmen to dam up and prob. to Lith stumti to shove] vt (14c) 1 a: to stop or dam up (as a river) b: to stop or check by or as if by damming; esp: stanch "~ a flow of blood"
2: to turn (a ski) in stemming ~ vi 1: to restrain or check oneself; also: to become checked or stanched
2: to slide the heel of one ski or of both skis outward usu. in making or preparing to make a turn [5]stem n (ca. 1700) 1: check, dam
2: an act or instance of stemming on skis