forestem

English

Alternative forms

  • fore-stem

Etymology 1

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

Noun

forestem (plural forestems)

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

Etymology 2

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

Noun

forestem (plural forestems)

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

Anagrams