STERN (4)

Stern, a. Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits. Stern board (Naut.), a going or falling astern; a loss of way in making a tack; as, to make a stern board. See Board, n., 8 (b). — Stern chase. (Naut.) (a) See under Chase, n. (b) A stern chaser. — Stern chaser (Naut.), a cannon placed in a ship's stern, pointing backward, and intended to annoy a ship that is in pursuit. — Stern fast (Naut.), a rope used to confine the stern of a ship or other vessel, as to a wharf or buoy. — Stern frame (Naut.), the framework of timber forms the stern of a ship. — Stern knee. See Sternson. — Stern port (Naut.), a port, or opening, in the stern of a ship. — Stern sheets (Naut.), that part of an open boat which is between the stern and the aftmost seat of the rowers, — usually furnished with seats for passengers. — Stern wheel, a paddle wheel attached to the stern of the steamboat which it propels.