tern 1
/terrn/ , n.
any of numerous aquatic birds of the subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae, related to the gulls but usually having a more slender body and bill, smaller feet, a long, deeply forked tail, and a more graceful flight, esp. those of the genus Sterna, as S. hirundo (common tern) , of Eurasia and America, having white, black, and gray plumage.
[ 1670-80; terne or Norw terna; c. ON therna ]
tern 2
/terrn/ , n.
1. a set of three.
2. three winning numbers drawn together in a lottery.
3. a prize won by drawing these.
[ 1300-50; ME terne terno ternus, sing. of terni three each, triad, akin to ter thrice; see THREE ]