Stern, a. 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 (?), n. [AS. stearn a kind
of bird. See Starling.] (Zoöl.) The black
tern.
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.
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, n. [Icel. stjōrn 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.) 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.