stem

1 :  to make headway against (something, such as an adverse tide, current, or wind)

2 :  to check or go counter to (something adverse)

1 :  to remove the stem from

2 :  to make a stem for (something, such as an artificial flower)

:  to occur or develop as a consequence :  have or trace an origin her success stems from hard work

1a :  to stop or dam up (something, such as a river)b :  to stop or check by or as if by damming; especially :  stanch stem a flow of blood

2 :  to turn (a ski) in stemming

1 :  to restrain or check oneself; also :  to become checked or stanched

2 :  to slide the heel of one ski or of both skis outward usually in making or preparing to make a turn

1 :  check, dam

2 :  an act or instance of stemming on skis

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

1 :  the main stalk of a plant that develops buds and shoots and usually grows above ground

2 :  a thin plant part (as a leafstalk) that supports another part a cherry's stem

3 :  the bow of a ship

4 :  the basic part of a word to which prefixes or suffixes may be added

5 :  something like a stalk or shaft the stem of a goblet … Henry and Jake both pushed the stems of their stopwatches down … — Walter Farley, The Black Stallion

1 :  to make progress against The boat was able to stem the current.

2 :  to check or hold back the progress of New safety rules stemmed the increase in accidents.

1 :  to develop as a consequence of His illness stems from an accident.

2 :  to come from :  derive The word “misty” stems from “mist.”

3 :  to remove the stem from stem cherries

:  to stop or check by or as if by damming We were able to stem the flow of blood.