Crossword Genius

Not smiling back (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stern

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This could be a double definition.

'not smiling' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'back' is the second definition.
(stern means the back of a boat)

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stern that I've seen before include "Authoritarian, back" , "having a forbidding appearance" , "Rigorous - back of boat" , "Forbidding, austere" , "Back end of a ship" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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