Thesaurus: stern

Related headwords

Definitions

1. n. The black tern.
2. superl. 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.
3. v. t. The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder.
4. v. t. The after or rear end of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stem, or prow.
5. v. t. Fig.: The post of management or direction.
6. v. t. The hinder part of anything.
7. v. t. The tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a dog.
8. a. Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.
9. adj. of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
10. adj. not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
11. adj. severe and unremitting in making demands
12. adj. severely simple