Severe in disposition or conduct; austere; harsh; rigorous; hard.Characterized by severity or rigor; especially, resulting from or expressive of harshness: as, a stern reply; a stern glance; a stern rebuke.Grim or forbidding in aspect; gloomy; repelling.Rough; violent; tumultuous; fierce.Rigid; stringent; strict.Stout; strong; heavy.Firm; unyielding; inflexible; hard.Synonyms Severe. Harsh, Strict, etc. See austere.1 andUnrelenting, uncompromising, inflexible.n. The rudder or helm of a vessel.n. Hence, figuratively, any instrument of management or direction; a guiding agent or agency; also, a post of direction or control.n. The hinder part of a ship or boat, where the rudder is placed; the part furthest removed from the stem or prow. See also cut under poop.n. The hinder parts, backside, buttocks, or rump; the tail of an animal.To steer; guide.To back (a boat) with the oars; back water; row backward.To draw back; back water: said of a boat or its crew.n. Same as starn.n. A tern.