kern 1
/kerrn/ , Print.
n.
1. a part of the face of a type projecting beyond the body or shank, as in certain italic letters.
v.t.
2. to form or furnish with a kern, as a type or letter.
3. to remove a portion of space between (adjacent letters) in preparation for printing.
[ 1675-85; carne corner of type cardin- (s. of cardo ) hinge ]
kern 2
/kerrn/ , n. Engin.
the central area of any horizontal section of a wall, column, etc., within which the resultant forces of all compressive loads must pass if there is to be only compression at that point.
[ Kern KERNEL; see KERN 4 ]
kern 3
/kerrn/ , n. Archaic.
1. a band of lightly armed foot soldiers of ancient Ireland.
2. (in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands) a soldier.
3. an Irish peasant, esp. a crude or boorish one.
Also, kerne .
[ 1325-75; ME kerne ceithern band of foot soldiers; cf. CATERAN ]
kern 4
/kerrn/ , Brit. Dial.
v.i.
1. (of a tree or plant) to produce or form kernels, hard grain, or seed.
v.t.
2. to cause to granulate, esp. to granulate salt.
3. to cover with crystalline grains of salt; salt (meat).
n.
4. Obs. a kernel, as of a nut; a grain, as of sand or wheat.
[ 1275-1325; ME kirnen, kerne (v.); akin to kirnelen to develop into seed; see KERNEL ]
kern 5
/kerrn/ , v.t., v.i., n. Scot. and North Eng.
churn.
kern 6
/kerrn/ , n. Scot. and North Eng.
kirn 2 .