stem
6 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
stems
plural
stems
Britannica Dictionary definition of STEM
[count]
1
a
:
the main long and thin part of a plant that rises above the soil and supports the leaves and flowers
—
see color picture on this page
-
He cut the plant off at the base of the stem.
b
:
the long, thin part of a fruit, leaf, flower, etc., that connects it to its plant
-
Hold the cherry by the stem.
2
:
a long and thin part: such as
a
:
the long, thin piece that supports the bowl of a wine glass
b
:
the long, thin part of a tobacco pipe
3
grammar
:
the main part of a word that does not change when endings are added to it
-
The stem of “winded” is “wind.”
from stem to stern
:
from one end of a ship or boat to the other
— often used figuratively
-
We scrubbed her down from stem to stern. [=we cleaned the entire ship/boat]
-
We cleaned the house from stem to stern.
2
stem
/ˈstɛm/
verb
stems;
stemmed;
stemming
2
stem
/ˈstɛm/
verb
stems;
stemmed;
stemming
Britannica Dictionary definition of STEM
[+ object]
:
to remove the stem from (a fruit, leaf, flower, etc.)
-
She stemmed and quartered the figs.
-
The strawberries need to be stemmed.
stem from
[phrasal verb]
stem from (something or someone)
:
to be caused by (something or someone)
:
to come from (something or someone)
-
Most of her health problems stem from an accident she had when she was younger.
-
His love of the outdoors stems from his father.
—
compare 3stem
3
stem
/ˈstɛm/
verb
stems;
stemmed;
stemming
3
stem
/ˈstɛm/
verb
stems;
stemmed;
stemming
Britannica Dictionary definition of STEM
[+ object]
:
to stop the progress or spread of (something)
-
efforts to stem the dramatic decline of an endangered species
-
The doctor stemmed the flow of blood by applying pressure to the wound.
-
Voters hope that the proposition will stem the tide of illegal immigration.
—
compare 2stem
