STEM

noun a branch of a family.

2. stem ·noun the entire central axis of a feather.

3. stem ·vt to ram, as clay, into a blasting hole.

4. stem ·noun ·alt. of steem.

5. stem ·vi ·alt. of steem.

6. stem ·noun fig.: an advanced or leading position; the lookout.

7. stem ·noun the stock of a family; a race or generation of progenitors.

8. stem ·vi to move forward against an obstacle, as a vessel against a current.

9. stem ·noun the basal portion of the body of one of the pennatulacea, or of a gorgonian.

10. stem ·noun the short perpendicular line added to the body of a note; the tail of a crotchet, quaver, semiquaver, ·etc.

11. stem ·noun that part of a plant which bears leaves, or rudiments of leaves, whether rising above ground or wholly subterranean.

12. stem ·noun the part of an inflected word which remains unchanged (except by euphonic variations) throughout a given inflection; theme; base.

13. stem ·noun 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.

14. stem ·vt 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.

15. stem ·noun 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 cherry.

xvi. stem ·vt to remove the stem or stems from; as, to stem cherries; to remove the stem and its appendages (ribs and veins) from; as, to stem tobacco leaves.

xvii. stem ·noun 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.

xviii. stem ·noun 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.