[stəːn], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- (of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in asserting authority or exercising discipline
(e.g: a smile transformed his stern face)

- (of competition or opposition) putting someone or something under extreme pressure
(e.g: the past year has been a stern test of the ability of British industry)


Phrases:
- be made of sterner stuff
- the sterner sex

Origin:
Old English styrne, probably from the West Germanic base of the verb stare

[stəːn], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the rearmost part of a ship or boat
(e.g: he stood at the stern of the yacht)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: probably from Old Norse stjórn ‘steering’, from stýra ‘to steer’