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.
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Kern, n. (Type Founding)
A part of the face of a type which projects beyond the body, or shank.
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Kern, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kerned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Kerning. ] (Type Founding)
To form with a kern. See 2d Kern.
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Kern, n. [See Churn. ]
A churn. [Prov. Eng.]
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Kern, n. [AS. cweorn, cwyrn. See Quern. ]
A hand mill. See Quern. Johnson.
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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.
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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.
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