What Does Stern Mean?

The word stern is used as both an adjective and as a noun. As an adjective, it means austere or severely simple. A stern person is a person who has a strict bearing or demeanour or one who is forbidding in aspect. It is a synonym of the word grim. It is very difficult to placate or appease or move a stern person by entreaty (the synonyms of the word entreaty are appeal, plea, petition and request). It means someone who is severe and unremitting in making demands.

As a noun, the word stern is defined as the rear part of a ship. It also means the buttocks or the fleshy part of the human body that people sit on. It is also the name of a well-known concert violinist from the United States of America, Isaac Stern. He was born in Russia on July 21, 1920. He was considered to be one of the finest concert violinists of the twentieth century. He died at the age of 81 on September 22, 2001.