stern

STERN, adjective [G., staring; stubborn. See Stare, Starck, Stark, with which this word is probably connected.] 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.