/ stɜːn; NAmE stɜːrn/ adjective , noun
■ adjective ( stern·er , stern·est )
1.
serious and often disapproving; expecting sb to obey you
SYN strict :
a stern face / expression / look
a stern warning
Her voice was stern.
The police are planning sterner measures to combat crime.
2.
serious and difficult :
We face stern opposition.
► stern·ly adverb stern·ness noun [ U ]
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IDIOMS
- be made of sterner stuff
■ noun
the back end of a ship or boat
—picture at liner
—compare bow (I) noun , poop
•
IDIOMS
see stem noun
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WORD ORIGIN
adjective Old English styrne , probably from the West Germanic base of the verb stare .
noun Middle English : probably from Old Norse stjórn steering, from stýra to steer.