Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Stern
Stern
,Adj.
[
Com
par.
Sterner
; sup
erl.
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
stern
resolve; a stern
necessity; a stern
heart; a stern
gaze; a stern
decree.The
sterne
wind so loud gan to rout. Chaucer.
I would outstare the
sternest
eyes that look. Shakespeare
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of
Ambition should be made of
sterner
stuff. Shakespeare
Stern
as tutors, and as uncles hard. Dryden.
These barren rocks, your
stern
inheritance. Wordsworth.
Syn. – Gloomy; sullen; forbidding; strict; unkind; hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; pitiless.
1.
The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
2.
(Naut.)
The after or rear end of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stem, or prow.
3.
Fig.: The post of management or direction.
And sit chiefest
stern
of public weal. Shakespeare
4.
The hinder part of anything.
Spenser.
5.
The tail of an animal; – now used only of the tail of a dog.
Stern
,Adj.
Being in the stern, or being astern;
as, the
. stern
davitsStern board
(Naut.)
, a going or falling astern; a loss of way in making a tack; , 8
– as, to make a
. See stern board
Board
, Noun.
(b)
. Stern chase
. (Naut.)
(a)
See under
Chase
, Noun.
(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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Stern
STERN
,Adj.
1.
Severe; austere; fixed with an aspect of severity and authority; as a stern look; a stern countenance; a stern frown.I would outstare the sternest eyes that look.
2.
Severe of manner; rigid; harsh; cruel.Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard.
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
3.
Hard; afflictive.If wolves had at thy gate howld that stern time.
4.
Rigidly stedfast; immovable.Stern virtue is the growth of few soils.
STERN
,Noun.
1.
The hind part of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stern or prow. This part of a ship is terminated by the tafferel above, and by the counters below.2.
Post of management; direction.An sit at chiefest stern of public weal. [Not in use. We now say, to sit at the helm.]
3.
The hinder part of any thing. [Not elegant.]By the stern, is a phrase which denotes that a ship is more deeply laden abaft than forward.