See Also: stem(1)(dictionary)
stem(2)(dictionary)
stem(3)(dictionary)
stem(4)(dictionary)
stem(5)(dictionary)
stem(encyclopedia)
Stem(medicine)
STEM(dictionary)
Stem cell(health)
stem cell(medicine)

stem(5) (iou)



stem verb2. Infl. -mm-. LME.
[from STEM noun1.]
I. Nautical.
a. verb intrans. Head in a certain direction, keep a course. LME.
Milton They on the..Flood..Ply stemming nightly toward the Pole.
b. verb trans. Make headway or hold one's own against, resist, (a tide, current, wind, etc.). L16.
J. K. Tuckey Though the current was running scarcely three miles an hour..[the ship]..barely stemmed it. fig.: Sir W. Scott Stemming the furious current of..contending parties.
c. verb trans. Direct, maintain the direction of, (a vessel). L16.
verb trans. Dash against, ram, (a vessel). LME-L15.
verb trans. Provide (a ship) with a stem. rare. L16.
II.
verb intrans. Rise erect; grow (up). Now rare. L16.
verb intrans. Produce a stem. M17-L18.
verb trans.
a. Remove the fibrous stalks and midribs from (tobacco). E18.
b. Remove the stalks from (currants, grapes, etc.). L19.
verb intrans. Beg on the street. Cf. STEM noun1 6b. US slang. E20.
verb intrans. Derive, originate, or spring from. Also, extend back to in origin. M20.
Times Literary Supplement Doubt and conflict..stemming back to the ancient world. H. S. Strean Desire for revenge stems from fury at being overcontrolled.