stern¹ ◙ adjective 1. (of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline • （人或其态度）严厉的，认真的，不屈从的 »a smile transformed his stern face. 一个笑容改变了他那严肃的脸庞。 »Mama looked stern. 妈妈看上去很严肃。 (of an act or statement) strict and severe; using extreme measures or terms • （法令，陈述）严格的，严厉的 »stern measures to restrict vehicle growth. 限制车辆增加的严厉措施。 (of competition or opposition) putting someone or something under extreme pressure • （竞争，对立）严峻的，严酷的 »the past year has been a stern test of the ability of British industry. 过去的一年是对英国工业能力的一个严峻考验。
【IDIOMS】
◘ be made of sterner stuff 1. have a stronger character and be more able to overcome problems than others • 个性更坚强 »whereas James was deeply wounded by the failure, George was made of sterner stuff. 尽管詹姆斯由于失败而受到很深的伤害，但是乔治的个性却更坚强了。 ◘ the sterner sex 1. (archaic)men regarded collectively and in contrast to women • [古] ［总称］男性
【派生】
♦ sternly adverb ♦ sternness noun
【语源】
1. Old English styrne, probably from the West Germanic base of the verb starestern² ◙ noun 1. the rearmost part of a ship or boat • 船尾，艉 »he stood at the stern of the yacht. 他站在游艇的尾部。 (humorous)a person's bottom • [幽默] （人的）臀，臀部 »my stern can't take too much sun. 我的臀部晒再多的太阳都没事。
【IDIOMS】
◘ by the stern 1. (of a boat) deeper in the water at the rear end
【IDIOMS】
◘ stern foremost 1. moving backwards »the crew's workload can be eased by trimming her down by the stern. the boat drove stern foremost before the tide。
【IDIOMS】
◘ stern on 1. with the rear end of a ship or boat directed towards something
【派生】
♦ sterned adjective »Trent held the jib back, sailing the catamaran stern on. a square-sterned vessel。 • 一艘尾部是方形的船 ♦ sternmost adjective ♦ sternwards adverb
【语源】
1. Middle English: probably from Old Norse stjórn 'steering', from stȳra 'to steer'