GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Stern , n. [AS. stearn a kind of bird. See Starling.] (Zool.) The black tern.
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2.       
   Stern, a. [Compar. Sterner ; superl. Sternest.] [OE. sterne, sturne, AS. styrne; cf. D. stuurish stern, Sw. stursk refractory. √166.] Having a certain hardness or severity of nature, manner, or aspect; hard; severe; rigid; rigorous; austere; fixed; unchanging; unrelenting; hence, serious; resolute; harsh; as, a sternresolve; a stern necessity; a stern heart; a stern gaze; a stern decree.
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   The sterne wind so loud gan to rout.
   Chaucer.
   
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   I would outstare the sternest eyes that look.
   Shak.
   
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   When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
   Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
   Shak.
   
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   Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard.
   Dryden.
   
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   These barren rocks, your stern inheritance.
   Wordsworth.
   
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   Syn. -- Gloomy; sullen; forbidding; strict; unkind; hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; pitiless.
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3.       
   Stern, n. [Icel. stjōrn a steering, or a doubtful AS. steórn. √166. See Steer, v. t.]
   The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder. [Obs.]
   Chaucer.
   
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   (Naut.) The after or rear end of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stem, or prow.
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   Fig.: The post of management or direction.
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   And sit chiefest stern of public weal.
   Shak.
   
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   The hinder part of anything.
   Spenser.
   
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   The tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a dog.
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   By the stern. (Naut.) See By the head, under By.
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4.       
   Stern, a. Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.
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   Stern board (Naut.), a going or falling astern; a loss of way in making a tack; as, to make a stern board. See Board, n., 8 (b). -- Stern chase. (Naut.) (a) See under Chase, n. (b) A stern chaser. -- Stern chaser (Naut.), a cannon placed in a ship's stern, pointing backward, and intended to annoy a ship that is in pursuit. -- Stern fast (Naut.), a rope used to confine the stern of a ship or other vessel, as to a wharf or buoy. -- Stern frame (Naut.), the framework of timber forms the stern of a ship. -- Stern knee. See Sternson. -- Stern port (Naut.), a port, or opening, in the stern of a ship. -- Stern sheets (Naut.), that part of an open boat which is between the stern and the aftmost seat of the rowers, -- usually furnished with seats for passengers. -- Stern wheel, a paddle wheel attached to the stern of the steamboat which it propels.
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