24. (v.t.)stem to makeheadway against (a tide, current, gale, etc.).
25. stem to makeprogress against (any opposition).
Etymology: (bef. 900; continuing OE stefn, stemn (see stem1); ME stampne, stamyn(e) appar. < the c. ON stamn, stafn)
Definition of 'Stem'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)root, root word, base, stem, theme, radical (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed "thematic vowels are part of the stem"
2. (noun)Stem the principalbody of a tree, shrub, or plant, of any kind; the main stock; the part which supports the branches or the head or top
3. (noun)Stem a littlebranch which connects a fruit, flower, or leaf with a main branch; a peduncle, pedicel, or petiole; as, the stem of an apple or a cherry
6. (noun)Stem a curved piece of timber to which the two sides of a ship are united at the foreend. The lower end of it is scarfed to the keel, and the bowsprit rests upon its upperend. Hence, the forwardpart of a vessel; the bow
7. (noun)Stem fig.: An advanced or leading position; the lookout
8. (noun)Stem anything resembling a stem or stalk; as, the stem of a tobacco pipe; the stem of a watch case, or that part to which the ring, by which it is suspended, is attached
15. (verb)Stem to remove the stem or stems from; as, to stem cherries; to remove the stem and its appendages (ribs and veins) from; as, to stemtobacco leaves
16. (verb)Stem to ram, as clay, into a blasting hole
17. (verb)Stem to oppose or cut with, or as with, the stem of a vessel; to resist, or makeprogress against; to stop or check the flow of, as a current
Sense: the part of a plant that grows upward from the root, or the part from which a leaf, flower or fruit grows; a stalk Poppies have long, hairy, twisting stems.