Definition of Stern

n.1.(Zool.) The black tern.
a.1.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.
n.1.The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder.
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.
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.
a.1.Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.
Stern board
b - (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
a - (Naut.) 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.


Related Words

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