Main Entry: ¹stark

Pronunciation: \ˈstärk\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, stiff, strong, from Old English stearc; akin to Old High German starc strong, Lithuanian starinti to stiffen — more at stare

Date: before 12th century

1 a : rigid in or as if in death b : rigidly conforming (as to a pattern or doctrine) : absolute <stark discipline>
2 archaic : strong, robust
3 : utter, sheer <stark nonsense>
4 a : barren, desolate b (1) : having few or no ornaments : bare <a stark white room> (2) : harsh, blunt <the stark realities of death>
5 : sharply delineated <a stark contrast>

— stark·ly adverb

— stark·ness noun