Stark

a. [compar. STARKER; superl. STARKEST.] [A-S. stearc, O. Sax. starc, D. sterk, O. H. Ger. starach, N. H. Ger. & Sw. stark, Dan. stärk, Icel. sterk-r, styrk-r, strong, rough; formed on the root of Ger. starr, stiff.]

1Sense 1. Stiff; strong; rugged.

Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies. Shak.

The north is not so stark and cold. B. Jonson.

2Sense 2. Absolute; deep; full; profound. [Obs.]

Consider the stark security The commonwealth is in now. B. Jonson.

3Sense 3. Mere; sheer; pure; gross; entire; downright; unmistakable.

He pronounces the citation stark nonsense. Collier.

Rhetoric is very good, or stark naught; there's no medium in rhetoric. Selden.

Wholly; entirely; absolutely; as, stark mad; stark naked. “Held him strangled in his arms, till he was stark dead.” Fuller.