(of a person or their manner)serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline
（人或其态度）严厉的；认真的；不屈从的
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a smile transformed his stern face 一个笑容改变了他那严肃的脸庞
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Mama looked stern .妈妈看上去很严肃。
(of an act or statement)strict and severe; using extreme measures or terms
（法令，陈述）严格的，严厉的
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stern measures to restrict vehicle growth .限制车辆增加的严厉措施。
(of competition or opposition)putting someone or something under extreme pressure
（竞争，对立）严峻的，严酷的
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the past year has been a stern test of the ability of British industry .过去的一年是对英国工业能力的一个严峻考验。
the rearmost part of a ship or boat
船尾，艉
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he stood at the stern of the yacht .他站在游艇的尾部。
〈幽默〉 （人的）臀，臀部
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my stern can't take too much sun .我的臀部晒再多的太阳都没事。
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be made of sterner stuff have a stronger character and be more able to overcome problems than others 个性更坚强whereas James was deeply wounded by the failure, George was made of sterner stuff . 尽管詹姆斯由于失败而受到很深的伤害，然而乔治的个性却更坚强 -
［ORIGIN from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar （iii. 2.93）．］
the sterner sex archaic men regarded collectively and in contrast to women 〈古〉 ［总 称］ 男性
"Old English
