stern1
  
  adj.
  - grimly serious or strict, especially in the exercise of discipline.
- severe; demanding.
Derivative
  
    - sternly adv.
- sternness n.
 
  Etymology
  OE styrne, prob. from the W. Gmc base of stare.
 
  
    
stern2
  
  n.
 the rearmost part of a ship or boat.
Derivative
  
    - sterned adj.
- sternmost adj.
- sternwards adv.
 
  Etymology
  ME: prob. from ON stjórn ‘steering’, from stýra ‘to steer’.