'Voluble stem' definitions:

Definition of 'Voluble stem'

From: GCIDE
  • Voluble \Vol"u*ble\, a. [L. volubilis, fr. volvere, volutum, to roll, to turn round; akin to Gr. ? to infold, to inwrap, ? to roll, G. welle a wave: cf. F. voluble. Cf. F. Well of water, Convolvulus, Devolve, Involve, Revolt, Vault an arch, Volume, Volute.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. Easily rolling or turning; easily set in motion; apt to roll; rotating; as, voluble particles of matter. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Moving with ease and smoothness in uttering words; of rapid speech; nimble in speaking; glib; as, a flippant, voluble, tongue. [1913 Webster]
  • [Cassio,] a knave very voluble. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Voluble was used formerly to indicate readiness of speech merely, without any derogatory suggestion. "A grave and voluble eloquence." --Bp. Hacket. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Changeable; unstable; fickle. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Bot.) Having the power or habit of turning or twining; as, the voluble stem of hop plants. [1913 Webster]
  • Voluble stem (Bot.), a stem that climbs by winding, or twining, round another body. [1913 Webster] -- {Vol"u*ble*ness}, n. -- {Vol"u*bly}, adv. [1913 Webster]