From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Kern \Kern\ (k[~e]rn), 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.
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2. Any kind of boor or low-lived person. [Obs.] --Blount.
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3. (O. Eng. Law) An idler; a vagabond. --Wharton.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Kern \Kern\, n. (Type Founding)
A part of the face of a type which projects beyond the body,
or shank, such as in certain italic letters.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Kern \Kern\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kerned; p. pr. & vb. n.
Kerning. ] (Type Founding)
To form with a kern. See 2d Kern.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Kern \Kern\, n. [See Churn. ]
A churn. [Prov. Eng.]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Kern \Kern\, n. [AS. cweorn, cwyrn. See Quern. ]
A hand mill. See Quern. --Johnson.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Kern \Kern\, v. i. [Cf. G. kern kernel, grain; akin to E. corn.
See Corn, Kernel. ]
1. To harden, as corn in ripening. [Obs.] --Carew.
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2. To take the form of kernels; to granulate. [Obs.]
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It is observed that rain makes the salt kern.
--Dampier.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Kern \Kern\, 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.]