Stern

adjective, sterner, sternest.
1.
firm, strict, or uncompromising:
stern discipline.
2.
hard, harsh, or severe:
a stern reprimand.
3.
rigorous or austere; of an unpleasantly serious character:
stern times.
4.
grim or forbidding in aspect:
a stern face.
noun
1.
the after part of a vessel (often opposed to stem).
2.
the back or rear of anything.
3.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Puppis.
4.
Fox Hunting. the tail of a hound.
noun
1.
Isaac, 1920–2001, U.S. violinist, born in Russia.
2.
Otto, 1888–1969, U.S. physicist, born in Germany: Nobel prize 1943.
1.
variant of sterno- before a vowel:
sternite.
adjective
1.
showing uncompromising or inflexible resolve; firm, strict, or authoritarian
2.
lacking leniency or clemency; harsh or severe
3.
relentless; unyielding: the stern demands of parenthood
4.
having an austere or forbidding appearance or nature
noun
1.
the rear or after part of a vessel, opposite the bow or stem
2.
the rear part of any object
3.
the tail of certain breeds of dog, such as the foxhound or beagle
adjective
4.
relating to or located at the stern
noun
1.
Isaac. 1920–2001, US concert violinist, born in (what is now) Ukraine
see: from soup to nuts (stem to stern)