stem

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You're listening to Joanna
She has an American accent.

NGSL Rank: 2199
stem
stɛm Listen
Meanings
noun
  • the main body or stalk of a plant or shrub, typically rising above ground but occasionally subterranean.
  • a long, thin supportive or main section of something.
    E.g. the main stem of the wing feathers
  • the root or main part of a word, to which inflections or formative elements are added.
  • the main upright timber or metal piece at the bow of a ship, to which the ship's sides are joined at the front end.
    E.g. the spines and bow stems of abandoned hulks
  • a pipe used for smoking crack or opium.
verb
  • originate in or be caused by.
    E.g. many of the universities' problems stem from rapid expansion
  • remove the stems from (fruit or tobacco leaves).
    E.g. her aunt and her mother were stemming currants on the side porch
  • (of a boat) make headway against (the tide or current).
    E.g. if the wind will only freshen a little, we shall be able to stem the first of the flood
verb
  • stop or restrict (the flow of something).
    E.g. a nurse did her best to stem the bleeding
  • slide the tail of one ski or both skis outwards in order to turn or slow down.
    E.g. I side-slipped at first, grew tired of it, and stemmed for a while
STEM
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Meanings
abbreviation
  • science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (as an educational category).
    E.g. the academy is seeking to appoint a Teaching and Learning Coordinator for STEM subjects

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