sternine,a.Ornith.|ˈstɜːnaɪn| [ad.mod.L. Sternīnus, f.Sterna.] Belonging to or having the characters of the Sterninæ or terns, a subfamily of Laridæ, typified by the genus Sterna. 1874Coues Birds N.W. 656 Bill..much compressed, very slender and sternine.