forestem

The forward or projected-most part of a stem

Noun biology, botany

  1. The forward or projected-most part of a stem
    • Nearby, Marikosan picked the rising and curling forestems for later cooking. - 2016, George C. Zidbeck, Observations and Reflections of a Country Squire:

Origin

From fore- + stem (“stalk of a plant”).

Forms

forestems fore-stem

Noun nautical, transport

  1. The front part of a vessel.
    • When the ship was in position with the forestem to the south, a grave chamber was constructed just behind the mast. - 2014, Anders Winroth, The Age of the Vikings, page 93:
    • Above the waterline they were more symmetrical with a transom-shaped bow above the fore-stem. - 2015, Sean McGrail, Early Ships and Seafaring:
    • Magnus walked to one of the ships and put his hand on the forestem at the front. - 2017, Sabrina Jarema, Lord of the Mountains:

    Synonyms: bow stem prow beak prore

    Antonyms: stern aft poop

Origin

From Middle English forestempne, forestavne, forstanyg, perhaps continuing Old English frumstemn (“the forepart of a ship; prow”), otherwise, equivalent to fore- + stem.

Forms

forestems fore-stem