stemwinder

or stem-wind·er

[ stem-wahyn-der ]

/ ˈstɛmˈwaɪn dər /

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noun

a stemwinding watch.

Older Slang.

something remarkable of its kind.
a rousing speech, especially a stirring political address.
a stirring orator.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of stemwinder

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; stem¹ + winder

How to use stemwinder in a sentence

There's a new bank examiner over at the First, and he's a stem-winder.
Roads of Destiny|O. Henry
Stem-winder somehow has more life in it, more fancy and vividness, than the literal keyless-watch.
The American Language|Henry L. Mencken
It is made with a stem winder, and therefore requires no key.
Time and Time-Tellers|James W. Benson
"Stem-winder and -setter," continued Barrifield, undisturbed.
The Bread Line|Albert Bigelow Paine

It being a "stem winder," the supposition is that, in masticating its food, the fish wound up the watch daily.
Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, September 7, 1895|Various

British Dictionary definitions for stemwinder

stem-winder

noun

a watch wound by an expanded crown on the bar projecting outside the case, as opposed to one wound by a separate keyAlso called: stem-winding watch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012