Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Kern?

\Kern\, n. [Ir. ceatharnach.Cf. {Cateran}. ] 1. A light-armed foot soldier of the ancient militia of Ireland and Scotland; -- distinguished from gallowglass, and often used as a term of contempt. --Macaulay. Now for our Irish wars; We must supplant those rough, rug-headed kerns. --Shak. 2. Any kind of boor or low-lived person. [Obs.] --Blount. 3. (O. Eng. Law) An idler; a vagabond. --Wharton.
\Kern\, n. (Type Founding) A part of the face of a type which projects beyond the body, or shank.
\Kern\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Kerned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Kerning}. ] (Type Founding) To form with a kern. See 2d {Kern}.
\Kern\, n. [See {Churn}. ] A churn. [Prov. Eng.]
\Kern\, n. [AS. cweorn, cwyrn. See {Quern}. ] A hand mill. See {Quern}. --Johnson.
\Kern\, v. i. [Cf. G. kern kernel, grain; akin to E. corn. See {Corn}, {Kernel}. ] 1. To harden, as corn in ripening. [Obs.] --Carew. 2. To take the form of kernels; to granulate. [Obs.] It is observed that rain makes the salt kern. --Dampier.
\Kern\, n. [Written also {kirn}.] [Cf. D. & G. kern kernal, E. kern to harden, kernel.] [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] 1. Kernel; corn; grain. 2. The last handful or sheaf reaped at the harvest. 3. The harvest-home.