to tamp down tobacco in one's pipe
1stem — stem1 [stem] n. [ME < OE stemn, stefn, akin to Ger stamm, tree trunk < IE base * stebh , post, pole > STEP, STAFF1] 1. the main upward growing axis of a plant, having nodes and bearing leaves, usually extending in a direction opposite to …
2stem — stem1 stemless, adj. stemlike, adj. /stem/, n., v., stemmed, stemming. n. 1. the ascending axis of a plant, whether above or below ground, which ordinarily grows in an opposite direction to the root or descending axis. 2. the stalk that supports… …
3stem — I [[t]stɛm[/t]] n. v. stemmed, stem•ming 1) bot the ascending axis of a plant, whether above or below ground, which ordinarily grows in an opposite direction to the root 2) bot the stalk that supports a leaf, flower, or fruit 3) bot a stalk of… …
