(stûrn) adjective
1. Proceeding from or marked by severity or harshness; unyielding: a stern command.
2. Having an austere disposition; strict; severe: a stern judge.
3. Inspiring fear; repelling.
4. Resolute; stout: a stern resolve. See synonyms under AUSTERE, GRIM, HARD, SEVERE. [OE styrne]
—Stern′ly adverb
—stern′ness noun

(stûrn) noun
1. Naut. The aft part of a ship, boat, etc.
2. The buttocks or tail part of an animal: now chiefly humorous.
3. The hindmost part of any object.
—adjective Situated at or belonging to the stern. [<ON stjoren steering, rudder <styra steer]

(stûrn), Otto,
born 1888, U. S. physicist born in Germany.