Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STARK, a. [Sax. sterc, stearc; D. sterk; G. stark, stiff, strong; formed on the root of the G. starr, stiff, rigid, Eng. steer; from straining, stretching. See Starch and Steer.]

1. Stiff; strong; rugged. Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff; / Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies. / The north is not so stark and cold. – B. Jonson.
2. Deep; full; profound; absolute. Consider the stark security / The commonwealth is in now. [Obs.] – B. Jonson.
3. Mere; gross; absolute. He pronounces the citation stark nonsense. – Collier.