1the 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.
2a long, thin supportive or main section of something:the main stem of the wing feathers
the slender part of a wine glass 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.
3 Grammar the root or main part of a word, to which inflections or formative elements are added.
archaic or literary the main line of descent of a family or nation:the Hellenic tribes were derived from the Aryan stem
4the main upright timber or metal piece at the bow of a ship, to which the ship’s sides are joined at the front end:the spines and bow stems of abandoned hulks
5US informal a pipe used for smoking crack or opium.
ზმნა
Universal
1 [no object] (stem from) originate in or be caused by:many of the universities' problems stem from rapid expansion
2 [with object] remove the stems from (fruit or tobacco leaves):her aunt and her mother were stemming currants on the side porch
3 [with object] (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
from stem to stern
from the front to the back, especially of a ship:surges of water rocked their boats from stem to stern
