STERNS
Noun
sterns
plural of stern
Anagrams
• Snerts, snerts
Source: Wiktionary
STERN
Stern, n. Etym: [AS. stearn a kind of bird. See Starling.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: The black tern.
Stern, a. [Compar. Sterner; superl. Sternest.] Etym: [OE. sterne,
sturne, AS. styrne; cf. D. stuurish stern, Sw. stursk refractory.
*166.]
Definition: 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.
Syn.
– Gloomy; sullen; forbidding; strict; unkind; hard-hearted;
unfeeling; cruel; pitiless.
Stern, n. Etym: [Icel. stjorn a steering, or a doubtful AS. steórn.
*166. See Steer, v. t.]
1. The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. (Naut.)
Definition: 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.
Stern, a.
Definition: 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.stern wheeler.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition