Category:Stern

Stern, n. Etym: [as. stearn a kind of bird. See starling.] (zoöl.)

Defn: the black tern.

Stern Stern, a. [compar. Sterner; superl. Sternest.] Etym: [oe. sterne, Sturne, as. styrne; cf. D. stuurish stern, sw. stursk refractory.
 * 166.]

Defn: 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. Chaucer. I would outstare the sternest eyes that look. Shak. When that the poor have cried, cæsar hath wept; ambition should be Made of sterner stuff. Shak. 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.

Stern Stern, n. Etym: [icel. stjorn a steering, or a doubtful as. steórn.
 * 166. See steer, v. t.]

1. The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder. [obs.] Chaucer.

2. (naut.)

Defn: 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. Shak.

4. The hinder part of anything. Spenser.

5. The tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a dog. By The stern. (naut.) See by the head, under by.

Stern Stern, a.

Defn: being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits. 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.stern wheeler.