Where does “stemwinder” come from?

stemwinder (English) comes from English winder, from English wind, from English farm, from Middle English ferme, from Old French ferme, from Medieval Latin ferma, from Latin Firma, from Latin Firmus — to support; to hold.

stemwinder (English): Alternative spelling of stem-winder

Definitions

  1. Alternative spelling of stem-winder

Ancestry of “stemwinder”, step by step

stemwinder traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English winder

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwinderA winding plant; A textile worker, or machine,...
2EnglishwindReal or perceived movement of atmospheric air...
3EnglishfarmA place where agricultural and similar activities...
4Middle EnglishfermeA lease; the renting of land
5Old Frenchfermelease; the land leased; farm
6Medieval LatinfermaAlternative form of firma
7LatinFirmatax, tribute
8LatinFirmusstrong, powerful
9Proto-Italicfermos
10Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-mo-sholding
11Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-to support; to hold

via English stem

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishstemThe stock of a family; a race or generation of...
2EnglishfemmeA woman, a wife; a young woman or girl; A...
3Frenchfemmewoman; wife; Alternative form of fem
4Middle Frenchfemmewife; woman
5Old Frenchfamewife, female partner; woman
6Latinfēminawoman
7Proto-Italicfēmanāwoman
8Proto-Indo-Europeandʰeh₁-m̥n-eh₂who sucks; one who is sucked; one who suckles;...
9Proto-Indo-Europeandʰeh₁(y)-to suckle, nurse
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-