stern: English has two distinct words stern. The older, the adjective ‘severe’ [OE], comes from a prehistoric Germanic *sternjaz, which was probably derived from the base *ster-, *star- ‘be rigid’ (source also of English starch, stare, starve, etc). Stern ‘rear of a vessel’ [13] is etymologically the ‘steering’ end of a ship. The word was probably borrowed from Old Norse stjórn ‘steering’, a derivative of the same base as produced styra ‘steer’ (source of English steer). => starch, stare, starve, stereo, stork; steer
stern (adj.)
Old English styrne "severe, strict, grave, hard, cruel," from Proto-Germanic *sternijaz (cognates: Middle High German sterre, German starr "stiff," st?rrig "obstinate;" Gothic andstaurran "to be stiff;" Old Norse stara; Old English starian "to look or gaze upon"), from PIE root *ster- (1) "rigid, stiff" (see stereo-). Related: Sternly; sternness.
stern (n.)
early 13c., "hind part of a ship; steering gear of a ship," probably from a Scandinavian source, such as Old Norse stjorn "a steering," related to or derived from styra "to guide" (see steer (v.)). Or the word may come from Old Frisian stiarne "rudder," which also is related to steer (v.). Stern-wheeler as a type of steam-boat is from 1855, American English.
例文
1. He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
彼は厳しい批評家だが、とても善良な人だ。
2.The tug crossed our stern not fifty yards away.
タグボートは私たちの船尾をこすって50ヤードも離れていなかった。
3.We remember our mother 's stern instructions not to boast.
私たちは、人前で自慢してはいけない母の厳しい教えを覚えています。
4.Mr Straw issued a stern warning to those who persist in violence.
Strow氏は、暴力活動を続けている人に厳正な警告を発した。
5.In showing contempt for the heavyweight championship Douglas offended a stern code.