kerns

Noun (1)

kern (countable and uncountable, plural kerns)

1. (dialectal, obsolete) A corn; grain; kernel.
2. (dialectal, obsolete) The last handful or sheaf reaped at the harvest.
3. (dialectal, obsolete) The harvest home.
4. (dialectal, obsolete) A doll or figurine raised in celebration of a successful harvest; kern-baby.

Noun (2)

kern (plural kerns)

1. (hot metal printing) Any part of a letter which extends into the space used by another letter.
   • A few types have a portion of the face letter projecting over the body, as in the letter f ; this projection is called the kern, and in combination with other letters the projecting part generally extends over the next letter, as in fe. In those combinations, wherein the kern would come in contact...1856, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Odd Fellows' Literary Casket, volumes 6-7, page 360

Noun (3)

kern (plural kerns)

1. (archaic, historical) A light-armed foot soldier of the ancient militia of Ireland and Scotland; in archaic contexts often used as a term of contempt.
   • O then belike she was old and gentle; and you rode like a kern of Ireland, your French hose off and in your strait strossers.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...

See all 13 meanings of kern