(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.
(v. t.) The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder.
(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.
(v. t.) Fig.: The post of management or direction.
(v. t.) The hinder part of anything.
(v. t.) The tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a dog.
(a.) Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.