(~er, ~est, ~s)
1.
Stern words or actions are very severe.
Mr Straw issued a ~ warning to those who persist in violence...
ADJ
~ly
‘We will take the necessary steps,’ she said ~ly.
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj
2.
Someone who is ~ is very serious and strict.
Her father was ~ and hard to please.
ADJ
3.
The ~ of a boat is the back part of it.
? prow
From stem to ~: see stem
N-COUNT