The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Stern \Stern\, a. [Compar. Sterner; superl. Sternest.] [OE.
   sterne, sturne, AS. styrne; cf. D. stuurish stern, Sw. stursk
   refractory. [root]166.]
   Having a certain hardness or severity of nature, manner, or
   aspect; hard; severe; rigid; rigorous; austere; fixed;
   unchanging; unrelenting; hence, serious; resolute; harsh; as,
   a sternresolve; a stern necessity; a stern heart; a stern
   gaze; a stern decree.
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         The sterne wind so loud gan to rout.     --Chaucer.
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         I would outstare the sternest eyes that look. --Shak.
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         When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept;
         Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. --Shak.
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         Stern as tutors, and as uncles hard.     --Dryden.
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         These barren rocks, your stern inheritance.
                                                  --Wordsworth.
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   Syn: Gloomy; sullen; forbidding; strict; unkind;
        hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; pitiless.
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