King James Bible Dictionary

STERN, adjective [G., staring; stubborn. See Stare, Starck, Stark, with which this word is probably connected.]

1. Severe; austere; fixed with an aspect of severity and authority; as a stern look; a stern countenance; a stern frown.

I would outstare the sternest eyes that look.

2. Severe of manner; rigid; harsh; cruel.

STERN as tutors, and as uncles hard.

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.

3. Hard; afflictive.

If wolves had at thy gate howld that stern time.

4. Rigidly stedfast; immovable.

STERN virtue is the growth of few soils.

STERN, noun

1. The hind part of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stern or prow. This part of a ship is terminated by the tafferel above, and by the counters below.

2. Post of management; direction.

An sit at chiefest stern of public weal. [Not in use. We now say, to sit at the helm.]

3. The hinder part of any thing. [Not elegant.]

By the stern is a phrase which denotes that a ship is more deeply laden abaft than forward.

STERNAGE, noun Steerage or stern. [Not in use.]

STERN-BOARD, noun [stern and board.] In seamens language, a loss of way in making a tack. To make a stern-board is when by a current or other cause, a vessel has fallen back from the point she had gained in the last tack.

STERN-CHASE, noun [stern and chase.] A cannon placed in a ships stern, pointing backward and intended to annoy a ship that is in pursuit of her.

STERNED, adjective In compounds, having a stern of a particular shape; as square-sterned; pink-sterned, etc.

STERNER, noun A director. [Not in use.]

STERN-FAST, noun [stern and fast.] A rope used to confine the stern of a ship or other vessel.

STERN-FRAME, noun [stern and frame.] The several pieces of timber which form the stern of a ship.

STERNLY, adverb [See Stern.] In a stern manner; with an austere or stern countenance; with an air of authority.

STERNLY he pronouncd the rigid interdiction.

STERNMOST, adjective [stern and most.] Farthest in the rear; farthest astern; as the sternmost ship in a convoy.

STERNNESS, noun

1. Severity of look; a look of austerity, rigor or severe authority; as the sternness of ones presence.

2. Severity or harshness of manner; rigor.

I have sternness in my soul enough to hear of soldiers work.

STERNON, noun [Gr.] The breast bone. But sternum is chiefly or wholly used.

STERN-PORT, noun [stern and port.] A port or opening in the stern of a ship.

STERN-POST, noun [stern and post.] A straight piece of timber, erected on the extremity of the keel to support the rudder and terminate the ship behind.

STERN-SHEETS, noun [stern and sheet.] That part of a boat which is between the stern and the aftmost seat of the rowers; usually furnished with seats for passengers.

STERNUM, noun [Gr., from fixing, setting. See Starch, Stark.] The breast bone; the bone which forms the front of the human chest from the neck to the stomach.

STERNUTATION, noun [Latin] The act of sneezing.

STERNUTATIVE, adjective [Latin , to sneeze.] Having the quality of provoking to sneeze.

STERNUTATORY, adjective [Latin , to sneeze.] Having the quality of exciting to sneeze.

STERNUTATORY, noun A substance that provokes sneezing.

STERN-WAY, noun [stern and way.] The movement of a ship backwards, or with her stern foremost.