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adj. stern·er, stern·est 2. Showing or expressing displeasure or disapproval; forbidding or harsh: a stern face; a stern voice. 3. Firm or unyielding; uncompromising: stern resistance. 4. Difficult to endure; oppressive: stern necessity. [Middle English sterne, from Old English styrne; see ster-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] sternly adv. sternness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. Nautical The rear part of a ship or boat. 2. A rear part or section. [Middle English sterne, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse stjōrn, rudder; see stā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
Ukrainian-born American violinist renowned for his beautiful tone.  (click for a larger image) Isaac Stern |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
German-born American physicist. He won a 1943 Nobel Prize for detecting the magnetic movements of atomic particles. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
