Most severe (8)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">most severe</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for sternest that I've seen before include "Most severe and unrelenting" , "Most serious and unrelenting" , "Strictest or grimmest" , "Most strict and demanding" , "Most unfriendly" .)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">most severe</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Another definition for harshest that I've seen is " Most severe".)
(Another definition for strictest that I've seen is " Most rigorous".)