Stern
Stern , noun
[Anglo-Saxon stearn a kind of bird. See Starling.]
(Zoology) The black tern.
Stern , adjective
[Old English sterne, sturne, Anglo-Saxon styrne; compare Dutch stuurish stern, Swedish stursk refractory. r166.]
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.
The sterne wind so loud gan to rout.
I would outstare the sternest eyes that look.
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard.
These barren rocks, your stern inheritance.
Stern , noun
[Icelandic stjōrn a steering, or a doubtful Anglo-Saxon steórn. r166. See Steer, transitive verb]
1.
The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder. [Obsolete] — Chaucer
2.
(Nautical) The after or rear end of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stem, or prow.
3.
Figuratively: The post of management or direction.
And sit chiefest stern of public weal.
4.
The hinder part of anything. — Spenser
5.
The tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a dog.
Collocations (1)
Stern , adjective
Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.
Collocations (9)
Stern board (Nautical) , 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 chaser (Nautical) , a cannon placed in a ship's stern, pointing backward, and intended to annoy a ship that is in pursuit.
Stern fast (Nautical) , a rope used to confine the stern of a ship or other vessel, as to a wharf or buoy.
Stern frame (Nautical) , the framework of timber forms the stern of a ship.
Stern knee , See Sternson.
Stern port (Nautical) , a port, or opening, in the stern of a ship.
Stern sheets (Nautical) , 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.