Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - stern

1. adj. severe, grim, strict; enforcing discipline or submission (a stern expression; stern treatment). Phrases and idioms the sterner sex men. Derivatives sternly adv. sternness n. Etymology: OE styrne, prob. f. a Gmc root = be rigid 2. n. 1 the rear part of a ship or boat. 2 any rear part. Phrases and idioms stern foremost moving backwards. stern on with the stern presented. stern-post the central upright support at the stern, usu. bearing the rudder. Derivatives sterned adj. (also in comb.). sternmost adj. sternward adj. & adv. sternwards adv. Etymology: ME prob. f. ON stj{oacute}rn steering f. st|ra STEER(1)