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The black tern. |
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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. |
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The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder. |
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The after or rear end of a ship or other vessel, or of a
boat; the part opposite to the stem, or prow. |
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Fig.: The post of management or direction. |
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The hinder part of anything. |
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The tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a
dog. |
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Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits. |