[stern] adj [ME sterne, fr. OE styrne; akin to OE starian to stare--more at stare] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having a definite hardness or severity of nature or manner: austere b: expressive of severe displeasure: harsh
2: forbidding or gloomy in appearance
3: inexorable "~ necessity"
4: sturdy, stout "a ~ resolve" syn see severe -- stern.ly adv -- stern.ness n
[2]stern n [ME, rudder, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON stjorn act of steering; akin to OE stieran to steer--more at steer] (14c) 1: the rear end of a boat
2: a hinder or rear part: the last or latter part