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stem
[stem]
noun
stem (noun) · stems (plural noun)

the main body or stalk of a plant or shrub, typically rising above ground but occasionally subterranean.
the stalk supporting a fruit, flower, or leaf, and attaching it to a larger branch, twig, or stalk.
a long, thin supportive or main section of something:
"the main stem of the wing feathers"
the slender part of a wineglass between the base and the bowl:
"her fingers tightened on the stem of her glass"
the tube of a tobacco pipe:
"Stanley eyed his father over the stem of his pipe"
a rod or cylinder in a mechanism, for example the sliding shaft of a bolt or the winding pin of a watch:
"the stem of the bolt edged clear"
a vertical stroke in a letter or musical note.
grammar
the root or main part of a noun, adjective, or other word, to which inflections or formative elements are added.
archaic
literary
the main line of descent of a family or nation:
"the Hellenic tribes were derived from the Aryan stem"
the main upright timber or metal piece at the bow of a ship, to which the ship's sides are joined:
"the spines and bow stems of abandoned hulks"
US ENGLISH
informal
a pipe used for smoking crack or opium.
verb
stem (verb) · stems (third person present) · stemmed (past tense) · stemmed (past participle) · stemming (present participle)

(stem from)
originate in or be caused by:
"many of the universities' problems stem from rapid expansion"
remove the stems from (fruit or tobacco leaves):
"her aunt and her mother were stemming currants on the side porch"
(of a boat) make headway against (the tide or current):
"if the wind will only freshen a little, we shall be able to stem the first of the flood"
Origin
Old English stemn, stefn, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stam and German Stamm. stem is related to Dutch steven, German Steven.
stem
[stem]
verb
stem (verb) · stems (third person present) · stemmed (past tense) · stemmed (past participle) · stemming (present participle)

stop or restrict (the flow of something):
"a nurse did her best to stem the bleeding"
stop the spread or development of (something undesirable):
"an attempt to stem the rising tide of unemployment"
skiing
slide the tail of one ski or both skis outward in order to turn or slow down:
"I sideslipped at first, grew tired of it, and stemmed for a while"
Origin
Middle English (in the sense ‘to stop, delay’): from Old Norse stemma, of Germanic origin. The skiing term (early 20th century) is from the German verb stemmen.
STEM
[STEM]
abbreviation
STEM (noun)

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (as an educational category):
"the academy is seeking to appoint a Teaching and Learning Coordinator for STEM subjects"
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Similar and Opposite Words
noun
the main body or stalk of a plant or shrub, typically rising above ground but occasionally subterranean.
trunk
stalk
stock
cane
peduncle
the stalk supporting a fruit, flower, or leaf, and attaching it to a larger branch, twig, or stalk.
stalk
shoot
twig
bine
pedicel
petiole
peduncle
axis
verb
originate in or be caused by:
come from
have its origins in
arise from
originate from
spring from
derive from
be rooted in
emanate from
issue from
flow from
proceed from
result from
be consequent on
be caused by
be brought on/about by
be produced by
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Opposite:
cause
give rise to
be independent of
verb
stop or restrict (the flow of something):
staunch
stop
halt
check
hold back
restrain
restrict
control
contain
curb
block
dam
slow
lessen
reduce
diminish
retard
stanch
stay
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