Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
weak-stemmed

weak-stemmed

5.6
A plant with stems too weak to hold it upright
  • adjective
  • /ˈwiːkˌstɛmɪd/
translation icon : de tallo débil
  • Many garden flowers are weak-stemmed and can benefit from stakes or trellises.

Examples

  • The weak-stemmed plant needed a support to grow upright.

  • Some gardeners avoid weak-stemmed plants for their gardens.

  • Because it is weak-stemmed, this species tends to sprawl across the ground.

  • The weak-stemmed flowers fell over in the wind.

  • The weak-stemmed plant tends to flop over instead of standing tall in the garden.

  • Because it is weak-stemmed, the flower needs a stake to help it stay upright.

  • The gardener noticed that weak-stemmed varieties require additional support to thrive.

Synonyms

weak
vsweak-stemmed
524 1.0

Not strong in body or muscles and easily tired

focuses on plants whose central support cannot hold them upright

Antonyms

sturdy
76 2.1

Strong and solid so it does not break easily

How Sturdy

robust
112 3.9
sturdy
76 2.1
weak-stemmed
5.6
fragile
83 3.4
spindly
11 6.2

Surface Forms

weak-stemmed positive

Morphology

weak-stemmed = weak + stem (transparent) = weak + stem + ed

A compound of 'weak' + 'stemmed' (where 'stemmed' = 'stem' + '-ed'); the meaning follows directly from the parts.

Etymology

Weak-stemmed comes from the simple English parts weak ('not strong') and stem ('the plant stalk'), with -ed meaning 'having'. So a weak-stemmed plant is 'having a not strong stem', which is why it often cannot stand up on its own and needs support.