ASTERN

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-STUHRN)

MEANING: adverb, adjective:
1. At the rear of a ship or another vessel.
2. In a reverse direction.
3. Backward.

ETYMOLOGY: From a- (toward) + stern (back part), probably from Old Norse stjorn (steering). Earliest documented use: 1627.
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A-SPERN - what an Italian does to an unwanted marriage proposal

WAS TERN - used to be a bird

E-ASTER-N - an electronic Fall flower that tries to face North