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\, 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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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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