voluble stem

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Webster's Dictionary (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]

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