Obs. Also 4 stemm, steme, stempme. [? a. ON. stemna, stefna to summon, call before a tribunal (whence late OE. stefnian in O. E. Chron., ann. 1048, 1093), f. stefna = OE. stefn STEM sb.3] a. trans. To contend with. b. intr. ? To debate with oneself.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 21135. Þat folk ilkan wald oþer stemm [Gött. stem], Qua rin moght titest on his hemm.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 230. He stemmed & con studie, Quo walt þer most renoun. Ibid., 1117. Þay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 2480. Ȝe suld noȝt stody ne stem þe sternes for to handill. Ibid., 2960. He studis & he stuynes, he stemes [MS. Dubl. stempmys] with-in. Ibid., 5301. Þan stemes he with þe stoute kyng, & stiggis with his name.
