Main Entry:

¹stem

Pronunciation:

\ˈstem\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English stefn, stemn stem of a plant or ship; akin to Old High German stam plant stem and probably to Greek stamnos wine jar, histanai to set — more at stand

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: the main trunk of a plant ; specifically : a primary plant axis that develops buds and shoots instead of roots b: a plant part (as a branch, petiole, or stipe) that supports another (as a leaf or fruit) c: the complete fruiting stalk of a banana plant with its bananas2 a: the main upright member at the bow of a ship b: the bow or prow of a ship — compare stern3: a line of ancestry : stock ; especially : a fundamental line from which others have arisen4: the part of an inflected word that remains after the inflected part is removed <strength is the stem of strengths> ; also : root 65: something held to resemble a plant stem: as a: a main or heavy stroke of a letter b: the short perpendicular line extending from the head of a musical note c: the part of a tobacco pipe from the bowl outward d: the cylindrical support of a piece of stemware (as a goblet) e: a shaft of a watch used for winding

— from stem to stern

: throughout, thoroughly