the black tern.-having a certain hardness or severity of nature, manner, or aspect; hard; severe; rigid; rigorous; austere; fixed; unchanging; unrelenting; hence, serious; resolute; harsh; as, a sternresolve; a stern necessity; a stern heart; a stern gaze; a stern decree.-the helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder.-the after or rear end of a ship or other vessel, or of a boat; the part opposite to the stem, or prow.-fig.: the post of management or direction.-the hinder part of anything.-the tail of an animal; -- now used only of the tail of a dog.-being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.