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>2archaic : strong, robust3: 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