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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Stern

Stĕrn, a.

adjective

(14), a. [compar. STERNER; superl. STERN-EST.] [A-S. sterne, styrne, allied to N. H. Ger. starr, O. H. Ger. star, stiff, stornén, to be stiff, astonished.] 1. Fixed, with an aspect of severity and authority; severe; rigid; austere; as, a stern look; a stern countenance; a stern frown. I would out-stare the sternest eyes that look. Shak. 2. Severe of manner; harsh; cruel. “Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard.” Dryden. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Shak.

  1. Rigidly steadfast; immovable.
  2. Stern virtue is the growth of few soils. Hamilton.

Syn.—Severe; austere; rigid; rigorous; harsh; cruel; unrelenting.

Stĕrn, n.

noun

n. [A-S. stearn, equivalent to steór, stiór, helm, steórern, equivalent to steórsetl, stearnsetl, stern, steórn, a steering, Ger. stern. See STEER.]

Sense 1. (Naut.) The hind part of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stem or prow.

Sense 2. Post of management; direction. [Obs.]

And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. Shak.

Sense 3. The hinder part of any thing. Spencer.

Sense 4. A rudder. [Obs.] Chapman.

By the stern (Naut.), more deeply laden abaft than forward;—said of a ship.