Word Study
astern
CIDE DICTIONARY
astern, adv. [Pref. a- + stern.].
- In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hinder part, or stern; backward; as, to go astern. [1913 Webster]
- Behind a ship; in the rear. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
astern, adv. Naut. & Aeron. (often foll. by of)
1 aft; away to the rear.
2 backwards.
1 aft; away to the rear.
2 backwards.
Etymology
A(2) + STERN(2)
THESAURUS
astern
a rebours, a reculons, abaft, aft, after, against the grain, anticlockwise, arear, ass-backwards, away, back, backward, backwards, baft, counterclockwise, fore and aft, fro, hindward, hindwards, in reverse, rear, rearward, rearwards, retrad, widdershinsROGET THESAURUS
astern
Rear
N rear, back, posteriority, rear rank, rear guard, background, hinterland, occiput, nape, chine, heels, tail, rump, croup, buttock, posteriors, backside scut, breech, dorsum, loin, dorsal region, lumbar region, hind quarters, aitchbone, natch, natch bone, stern, poop, afterpart, heelpiece, crupper, wake, train, reverse, other side of the shield, back, rear, hind, hinder, hindmost, hindermost, postern, posterior, dorsal, after, caudal, lumbar, mizzen, tergal, behind, in the rear, in the background, behind one's back, at the heels of, at the tail of, at the back of, back to back, after, aft, abaft, astern, sternmost, aback, rearward, ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio, the other side of the coin.For further exploring for "astern" in Webster Dictionary Online