kern

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Kerned p. pr. & vb. n. Kerning. ] (Type Founding) To form with a kern. See 2d Kern. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Churn. ] A churn. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. cweorn, cwyrn. See Quern. ] A hand mill. See Quern. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. G. kern kernel, grain; akin to E. corn. See Corn, Kernel. ] 1. To harden, as corn in ripening. [ Obs. ] Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To take the form of kernels; to granulate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It is observed that rain makes the salt kern. Dampier. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now for our Irish wars;
We must supplant those rough, rug-headed kerns. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any kind of boor or low-lived person. [ Obs. ] Blount. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (O. Eng. Law) An idler; a vagabond. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Written also kirn. ] [ Cf. D. & G. kern kernal, E. kern to harden, kernel. ] [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot. ] 1. Kernel; corn; grain. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. The last handful or sheaf reaped at the harvest. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. The harvest-home. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. A doll or image decorated with corn (grain) flowers, etc., carried in the festivals of a kern, or harvest-home. Called also harvest queen. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. (Print.) Having part of the face projecting beyond the body or shank; -- said of type. “In Roman, f and j are the only kerned letters.” MacKellar. [ 1913 Webster ]