- Sterner
- Stern Stern, a. [Compar. {Sterner}; superl. {Sternest}.] [OE.
sterne, sturne, AS. styrne; cf. D. stuurish stern, Sw. stursk
refractory. [root]166.]
Having a certain hardness or severity of nature, manner, or
aspect; hard; severe; rigid; rigorous; austere; fixed;
unchanging; unrelenting; hence, serious; resolute; harsh; as,
a sternresolve; a stern necessity; a stern heart; a stern
gaze; a stern decree.
[1913 Webster]
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, C[ae]sar 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]
Syn: Gloomy; sullen; forbidding; strict; unkind; hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; pitiless. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.