stem

Definition

The stock of a family; a race or generation of progenitors.

Etymology

From Middle English stem, stemme, stempne, stevin, from Old English stemn, from Proto-West Germanic *stamni, from Proto-Germanic *stamniz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand, stay”).

Example Sentences

• "Where ye may all that are of noble ſtemm / Approach, and kiſs her ſacred veſtures hemm."
• "While I do pray, learn here thy stem / And true descent."
• "This is a stem / Of that victorious stock."