▪ I. stemming, vbl. n.1
(ˈstɛmɪŋ)
[f. stem v.4 + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. stem4.
| 1703 La Hontan's Voy. N. Amer. I. 30, I found that the stemming of the Currents whether in towing of the Canows, or in setting them along with Poles, was equally laborious. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 403 A current from the Atlantic.., and for the stemming of it a brisk gale is required. 1914 Eng. Hist. Rev. Jan. 137 The process of feudalization..broke out again with great force under the Carolingians, after a brief stemming-back by the efforts of such princes as Charles Martel [etc.]. |
▪ II. stemming, vbl. n.2 Mining.
(ˈstɛmɪŋ)
[f. stem v.2 + -ing1.]
1. = tamping 1 b.
| 1791 Smeaton Edystone L. §223 note, The efficacy of the gunpowder to split the stone, rather than to drive out the stemming or wad, is greatly owing to a further circumstance. 1851 Greenwell Coal-trade Terms, Northumb. & Durh. 51 Stemming, Small coals or stones, with which a hole is tamped. 1898 Colliery Guardian 22 July 155 Tubed Cylinder Stemming for Boreholes. Ibid., Clay stemming undoubtedly is the best, as it can be pressed directly upon the primer. 1908 Times 24 Mar. 10/3 The shot did its work,..and all the stemming was driven from the stone. |
2. Skiing. The action of stem v.2 6 a.
| 1904, etc. [see snow-ploughing vbl. n.] 1935 P. Frankau I find Four People v. 311 We circled on our awkward attempts at stemming, frozen and undecided. |
▪ III. stemming
variant of stamin.