stern´ness

stern´ness
stern1 «sturn», adjective.
1. severe; strict; harsh: »

a stern master, a stern religion. His stern frown frightened the children.

 SYNONYM(S): See syn. under severe. (Cf. ↑severe)
2. not yielding; hard; firm: »

stern necessity, stern reality.…ambition should be made of sterner stuff (Shakespeare).

3. Figurative. forbidding in nature or aspect; grim: »

a stern climate, stern mountains. ... a stern and rock-bound coast (Felicia D. Hemans).

╂[Old English styrne]
–stern´ly, adverb.
–stern´ness, noun.
stern2 «sturn», noun, adjective.
–n.
1. the rear part of a ship or boat, beginning where the sides curve inward.
2. the rear part of an aircraft.
3. a) the buttocks. b) the hinder part of any creature.
–adj.
of, at, or having to do with the stern.
╂[Compare Old Frisian stiārne stern, rudder, Old Icelandic stjōrn a steering]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • stern — stern·berg; stern·ber·gia; stern·berg·ite; stern; stern·less; stern·ly; stern·man; stern·most; stern·ness; stern·son; stern·ward; stern·ways; stern·wards; …   English syllables

  • stern´ly — stern1 «sturn», adjective. 1. severe; strict; harsh: »a stern master, a stern religion. His stern frown frightened the children. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under severe. (Cf. ↑severe) …   Useful english dictionary

  • stern — stern1 [ stɜrn ] adjective 1. ) a stern person, expression, or statement is serious and severe: A smile suddenly transformed her stern face. The judge issued a stern warning to the driver. 2. ) a stern action is so firm that you cannot oppose it …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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  • se|vere´ness — se|vere «suh VIHR», adjective, ver|er, ver|est. 1. very strict; stern; harsh: »a severe reprimand, severe self denial. The judge imposed a severe sentence on the criminal. 2. sharp or violent: »severe c …   Useful english dictionary

  • dour´ness — dour «dur, dowr», adjective. 1. gloomy or sullen: »The boy was sulking in dour silence. 2. stern; severe: »a dour look. His dour remarks frightened the child. The Prime Minister is immensely popular among the stolid and dour northerners (New York …   Useful english dictionary

  • grim´ness — grim «grihm», adjective, grim|mer, grim|mest. 1. without mercy; stern, harsh, or fierce: »grim, stormy weather. SYNONYM(S): cruel, merciless …   Useful english dictionary

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  • aus|tere´ness — aus|tere « STIHR», adjective. 1. stern in manner or appearance; harsh: »Grandfather was a silent, austere man, very strict with his children. SYNONYM(S): severe. 2. strict in morals; severe in self discipline: »Some of the ideas of the Puritans… …   Useful english dictionary

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