Syn. — Gloomy; sullen; forbidding; strict; unkind; hard- hearted; unfeeling; cruel; pitiless.
Stern
(Stern), n. [Icel. stjorn a steering, or a doubtful AS. steórn. &radic166. See Steer, v. t.]
1. The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. (Naut.) 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
(Stern), a. 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.
Sternage
(Stern"age) n. Stern. [R.] Shak.
Sternal
(Ster"nal) a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the sternum; in the region of the sternum.
Sternal ribs. See the Note under Rib, n., 1.
