stern1

[sturn] /stɜrn/
adjective, sterner, sternest.
1.
firm, strict, or uncompromising:
stern discipline.
2.
hard, harsh, or severe:
a stern reprimand.
3.
rigorous or austere; of an unpleasantly serious character:
stern times.
4.
grim or forbidding in aspect:
a stern face.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English; Old English styrne
Related forms
sternly, adverb
sternness, noun
Synonyms
1, 2. adamant, unrelenting, unsympathetic, cruel, unfeeling. Stern, severe, harsh agree in referring to methods, aspects, manners, or facial expressions. Stern implies uncompromising, inflexible firmness, and sometimes a hard, forbidding, or withdrawn aspect or nature: a stern parent. Severe implies strictness, lack of sympathy, and a tendency to impose a hard discipline on others: a severe judge. Harsh suggests a great severity and roughness, and cruel, unfeeling treatment of others: a harsh critic.
Antonyms
1. lenient.

stern2

[sturn] /stɜrn/
noun
1.
the after part of a vessel (often opposed to stem).
2.
the back or rear of anything.
3.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Puppis.
4.
Fox Hunting. the tail of a hound.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English sterne, probably < Old Norse stjōrn steering (done aft; see sternpost)

Stern

[sturn] /stɜrn/
noun
1.
Isaac, 1920–2001, U.S. violinist, born in Russia.
2.
Otto, 1888–1969, U.S. physicist, born in Germany: Nobel prize 1943.

stern-

1.
variant of sterno- before a vowel:
sternite.
Examples from the web for stern
  • stern pinball is the only current manufacturer of original pinball machines.
  • The stern expression of the pug belies its true sense of fun.
  • If in the stern, the paddler pulls from the waist to the stern of the canoe.
  • End of studies at the stern conservatory, receiving an exceptional diploma.
British Dictionary definitions for stern

stern1

/stɜːn/
adjective
1.
showing uncompromising or inflexible resolve; firm, strict, or authoritarian
2.
lacking leniency or clemency; harsh or severe
3.
relentless; unyielding: the stern demands of parenthood
4.
having an austere or forbidding appearance or nature
Derived Forms
sternly, adverb
sternness, noun
Word Origin
Old English styrne; related to Old High German stornēn to alarm, Latin sternāx stubborn, Greek stereos hard

stern2

/stɜːn/
noun
1.
the rear or after part of a vessel, opposite the bow or stem
2.
the rear part of any object
3.
the tail of certain breeds of dog, such as the foxhound or beagle
adjective
4.
relating to or located at the stern
Word Origin
C13: from Old Norse stjōrn steering; see steer1

Stern

/stɜːn/
noun
1.
Isaac. 1920–2001, US concert violinist, born in (what is now) Ukraine
Word Origin and History for stern
adj.

Old English styrne "severe, strict," from Proto-Germanic *sternijaz (cf. Middle High German sterre, German starr "stiff," störrig "obstinate;" Gothic andstaurran "to be stiff;" Old Norse stara; Old English starian "to look or gaze upon"), from PIE root *ster-, *star- "be rigid" (see sterile).

n.

c.1300, "hind part of a ship, steering gear of a ship," probably from Old Norse stjorn "a steering," related to styra "to guide" (see steer (v.)). Or the word may come from Old Frisian stiarne "rudder," which is also related to steer (v.).

Idioms and Phrases with stern

stern

see: from soup to nuts (stem to stern)