n. [ Icel. stjōrn a steering, or a doubtful AS. steórn. √166. See Steer, v. t. ]
And sit chiefest stern of public weal. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
By the stern. (Naut.)
a. Being in the stern, or being astern;
Stern board (Naut.),
Stern chase. (Naut.)
Stern chaser (Naut.),
Stern fast (Naut.),
Stern frame (Naut.),
Stern knee.
Stern port (Naut.),
Stern sheets (Naut.),
Stern wheel,
a.
The sterne wind so loud gan to rout. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
I would outstare the sternest eyes that look. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
These barren rocks, your stern inheritance. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ AS. stearn a kind of bird. See Starling. ] (Zool.) The black tern. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Stern. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the sternum; in the region of the sternum. [ 1913 Webster ]
Sternal ribs.
n. [ So named after Count Kaspar Sternberg of Prague. ] (Min.) A sulphide of silver and iron, occurring in soft flexible laminae varying in color from brown to black. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n.;
a. Having a stern of a particular shape; -- used in composition;
n. [ See 3d Stern. ] A director. [ Obs. & R. ] Dr. R. Clerke. [ 1913 Webster ]