Kern
Kern (kẽrn) , noun
[Ir. ceatharnach.Compare 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.
2.
Any kind of boor or low-lived person. [Obsolete] — Blount
3.
(O. Eng. Law) An idler; a vagabond. — Wharton
Kern , noun
(Type Founding) A part of the face of a type which projects beyond the body, or shank, such as in certain italic letters.
Kern , transitive verb
(Type Founding) To form with a kern. See 2d Kern.
Kern , noun
[See Churn. ]
A churn. [Provincial English]
Kern , noun
[Anglo-Saxon cweorn, cwyrn. See Quern. ]
A hand mill. See Quern. — Johnson
Kern , intransitive verb
[Compare German kern kernel, grain; akin to English corn. See Corn, Kernel. ]
1.
To harden, as corn in ripening. [Obsolete] — Carew
2.
To take the form of kernels; to granulate. [Obsolete]
It is observed that rain makes the salt kern.
Kern , noun
[Compare Dutch & German kern kernal, English kern to harden, kernel.]
1.
Kernel; corn; grain. [Obsolete or Provincial English & Scottish]
2.
The last handful or sheaf reaped at the harvest.
3.
The harvest-home.