• n. 船尾；末端
• adj. 严厉的；坚定的
• n. (Stern)人名；(英、以、法、瑞典、西)斯特恩；(德、波、匈)施特恩

来自古英语 styrne,严厉的，严苛的，来自 Proto-Germanic*sternijaz,硬的，强硬的，来自 PIE*ster, 固定的，坚固的，僵硬的，词源同 sterile,stark.

词源同 steer,驾驶，操纵。因过去习惯在船尾驾驶船只，后引申词义船尾。

stern

stern: English has two distinct words stern. The older, the adjective ‘severe’ [OE], comes from a prehistoric Germanic *sternjaz, which was probably derived from the base *ster-, *star- ‘be rigid’ (source also of English starch, stare, starve, etc). Stern ‘rear of a vessel’ [13] is etymologically the ‘steering’ end of a ship. The word was probably borrowed from Old Norse stjórn ‘steering’, a derivative of the same base as produced styra ‘steer’ (source of English steer).
=> starch, stare, starve, stereo, stork; steer

stern (adj.)

Old English styrne "severe, strict, grave, hard, cruel," from Proto-Germanic *sternijaz (cognates: Middle High German sterre, German starr "stiff," st?rrig "obstinate;" Gothic andstaurran "to be stiff;" Old Norse stara; Old English starian "to look or gaze upon"), from PIE root *ster- (1) "rigid, stiff" (see stereo-). Related: Sternly; sternness.

stern (n.)

early 13c., "hind part of a ship; steering gear of a ship," probably from a Scandinavian source, such as Old Norse stjorn "a steering," related to or derived from styra "to guide" (see steer (v.)). Or the word may come from Old Frisian stiarne "rudder," which also is related to steer (v.). Stern-wheeler as a type of steam-boat is from 1855, American English.

1. He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.

他是个苛刻的批评家，但却是个非常善良的人。

来自柯林斯例句

2. The tug crossed our stern not fifty yards away.

拖船擦着我们的船尾开了过去，距离不到50码。

来自柯林斯例句

3. We remember our mother's stern instructions not to boast.

我们谨记母亲不许我们在人前炫耀的严厉教诲。

来自柯林斯例句

4. Mr Straw issued a stern warning to those who persist in violence.

斯特劳先生向那些坚持进行暴力活动的人发出了严正警告。

来自柯林斯例句

5. In showing contempt for the heavyweight championship Douglas offended a stern code.

道格拉斯藐视重量级拳王称号的行为违背了严格的准则。

来自柯林斯例句