stem
1[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
noun
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to remove the stem from (a leaf, fruit, etc.): Stem the cherries before cooking.
verb (used without object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to arise or originate: This project stems from last week's lecture.
Words nearby stem
Origin of stem
1OTHER WORDS FROM stem
stem·less, adjectivestem·like, adjectiveDefinition for stemming (2 of 4)
stem2
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
verb (used without object), stemmed, stem·ming.
Skiing. to execute a stem.
noun
Skiing. the act or instance of a skier pushing the heel of one or both skis outward so that the heels are far apart, as in making certain turns or slowing down.
Origin of stem
21400–50; late Middle English stemmen < Old Norse stemma to dam or Middle Low German stemmen
Definition for stemming (3 of 4)
stem3
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to make headway against (a tide, current, gale, etc.).
to make progress against (any opposition).
Origin of stem
3First recorded in 1585–95; v. use of stem4
Definition for stemming (4 of 4)
stem5
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to arrange the loading of (a merchant vessel) within a specified time.
Origin of stem
51895–1900; variant of steven to direct one's course < Old Norse stefna to sail directly, aim, derivative of stafn stem4
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for stemming
British Dictionary definitions for stemming (1 of 3)
Stem
/ (stɛm) /
noun
die Stem (di) the South African national anthem until 1991, when part of it was incorporated into the current anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrikaSee Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
Word Origin for Stem
C19: from Afrikaans, the call
British Dictionary definitions for stemming (2 of 3)
stem1
/ (stɛm) /
noun
verb stems, stemming or stemmed
Derived forms of stem
stemlike, adjectivestemmer, nounWord Origin for stem
Old English stemn; related to Old Norse stafn stem of a ship, German Stamm tribe, Gothic stōma basis, Latin stāmen thread
British Dictionary definitions for stemming (3 of 3)
stem2
/ (stɛm) /
verb stems, stemming or stemmed
(tr) to restrain or stop (the flow of something) by or as if by damming up
(tr) to pack tightly or stop up
skiing to manoeuvre (a ski or skis), as in performing a stem
noun
skiing a technique in which the heel of one ski or both skis is forced outwards from the direction of movement in order to slow down or turn
Derived forms of stem
stemmer, nounWord Origin for stem
C15 stemmen, from Old Norse stemma; related to Old Norse stamr blocked, stammering, German stemmen to prop; see stammer
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
Medicine definitions for stemming
stem
[ stĕm ]
n.
A supporting structure resembling the stalk of a plant.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for stemming
stem
[ stĕm ]
The main, often long or slender part of a plant that usually grows upward above the ground and supports other parts, such as branches and leaves. Plants have evolved a number of tissue arrangements in the stem. Seedless vascular plants (such as mosses and ferns) have primary vascular tissue in an inner core, a cylindrical ring, or individual strands scattered amid the ground tissue. In eudicots, magnoliids, and conifers, the stem develops a continuous cylindrical layer or a ring of separate bundles of vascular tissue (including secondary vascular tissue) embedded in the ground tissue. In monocots and some herbaceous eudicots, individual strands of primary vascular tissue are scattered in the ground tissue.
A slender stalk supporting or connecting another plant part, such as a leaf or flower.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with stemming
stem
In addition to the idiom beginning with stem
- stem the tide
- stem to stern
also see:
- from soup to nuts (stem to stern)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.