A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1507-1626, 1678
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Starn(e, Stern(e, n. [ME and e.m.E. sterne (14th c.), steerne (c1430), storne (1513), stearne (a1547), ON stjarna.] a. The back part of a ship. Also transf. b. The steering-gear of a ship. Also fig. c. attrib.a. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 450.
In to the Katryne thou maid a foule cahute, For thou bedrate hir doune fra starn to stere 1560 (c1650) Dundee B. Laws 21.
It is statut that na ship … lay too hir braid syde … at the shoar but hir forship on her starne 1589–90 Ayr B. Acc. 165.
[For bringing the] gabar [up when it sank] at Johnne Rankenes schipis starne, [11 s. 4 d.]transf. c1678 Reg. Panmure I lxv.
They … shoot many pistols in at the stern of the coachb. 1622-6 Bisset II 200/16.
The steme of the schip Piscus inventted Tiphis fand the starne and rutherfig. 1586 Warrender P. (SHS) I 212.
Which can no waie neither greive nor hurte us so as a good conscience doe guyde the sterne of our actionsc. attrib. 1523 Dundee B. Ct. I 147a (22 June).
Gilbert Rolland is adiugit for Jhon Cranston to pay Scottis Wilȝam … his sternman fee of the haill gudis of Tourwe Allarson schip
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"Starn n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/starne>
