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’.