English Dictionary: stern | by the DICT Development Group |
5 results for stern | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Stern \Stern\, n. [AS. stearn a kind of bird. See {Starling}.] (Zo[94]l.) The black tern. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Stern \Stern\, a. [Compar. {Sterner}; superl. {Sternest}.] [OE. sterne, sturne, AS. styrne; cf. D. stuurish stern, Sw. stursk refractory. [fb]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, C[91]sar 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. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Stern \Stern\, n. [Icel. stj[d3]rn a steering, or a doubtful AS. ste[a2]rn. [fb]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}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Stern \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. |