Stem

stem, n. The principal body of a tree, shrub, or plant of any kind; a little branch which connects a fruit or flower with a main branch; the stock of family; a descendant; progeny. {Naut.) A curved piece of timber to which the 2 sides of a ship are united at the fore end; the forward part of a ve el; the leading position; lookout. (Mus.) The short, perpendicular line added to the body of a note. ( Gram.) That part of an inflected word which remains unchanged (except by euphonic variations) throughout a given inflection. — v. t. [stemmed (stemd), -Ming.] To oppose, or cut, as with the stem of a ve el; to make progre against, as a current; to oppose; to check (a stream or moving force.) — Stem'-wind'er, n. A watch which is wound up or regulated by a mechanism connected with the stem, and not by a key.