I. ˈdärn, ˈdȧn
variant of dern
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably from French dialect (Channel Islands) derner, darner to darn, mend, patch, perhaps from French dialect (Norman) darne piece, from Breton darn; akin to Welsh darn piece, Sanskrit dīrṇa torn, Old English teran to tear — more at tear
transitive verb
1. : to mend (a hole or tear in cloth) with interlacing stitches usually in plain weave
darn woolen socks with matching yarn
2. : to embroider by filling in a design or background with geometric patterns or parallel lines of long running or interlacing stitches
the lace was formed by darning a leaf pattern on a net ground
intransitive verb
: to do darning
III. noun
( -s )
: a place darned
a sweater full of darns
IV. verb
or durn ˈdərn, ˈdə̄n, ˈdəin
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: euphemism
transitive verb
: damn I vt 5
darn him, he won't even try to help
darn it all
I'll be darned if I know
intransitive verb
: damn
V. adjective
or durn “
Etymology: euphemism for damn (III)
: damned I 2a, 2b
one darn thing after another
VI. adverb
or durn “
Etymology: euphemism for damn (IV)
: damned II
he came darn near killing him
VII. noun
or durn “
( -s )
Etymology: euphemism
: damn II 2