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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Stern \Stern\, n. [AS. stearn a kind of bird. See {Starling}.]
(Zool.)
The black tern.
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Stern \Stern\, a. [Compar. {Sterner}; superl. {Sternest}.] [OE.
sterne, sturne, AS. styrne; cf. D. stuurish stern, Sw. stursk
refractory. [root]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.
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The sterne wind so loud gan to rout. --Chaucer.
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I would outstare the sternest eyes that look. --Shak.
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When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. --Shak.
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Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard. --Dryden.
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These barren rocks, your stern inheritance.
--Wordsworth.
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Syn: Gloomy; sullen; forbidding; strict; unkind;
hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; pitiless.
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Stern \Stern\, n. [Icel. stj[=o]rn a steering, or a doubtful AS.
ste['o]rn. [root]166. See {Steer}, v. t.]
1. The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
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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.
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3. Fig.: The post of management or direction.
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And sit chiefest stern of public weal. --Shak.
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4. The hinder part of anything. --Spenser.
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5. The tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a
dog.
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{By the stern}. (Naut.) See {By the head}, under {By}.
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Stern \Stern\, a.
Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.
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{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.
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