stem-winder

noun

stem-wind·​er ˈstem-ˌwīn-dər How to pronounce stem-winder (audio)
1
: a stem-winding watch
2
[from the superiority of the stem-winding watch over the older key-wound watch] : one that is first-rate of its kind
especially : a stirring speech

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stem-winder was in 1875

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Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near stem-winder

stemware

stem-winder

stem-winding

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Cite this Entry

“Stem-winder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stem-winder. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

stem-winder

noun
stem-wind·​er
ˈstem-ˌwīn-dər
1
: a watch wound by an inside mechanism turned by a knob on the stem
2
: something that is first-rate of its kind
especially : a stirring speech
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