Kern /(kẽrn)/

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.

   Now for our Irish wars; We must supplant those rough, rug-headed kerns.

2. Any kind of boor or low-lived person. [Obs.]
3. An idler; a vagabond. (O. Eng. Law)

1. A part of the face of a type which projects beyond the body, or shank, such as in certain italic letters. (Type Founding)

imp. & p. p. Kerned; p. pr. & vb. n. Kerning

1. To form with a kern. See 2d Kern. (Type Founding)

1. A churn. [Prov. Eng.]

1. A hand mill. See Quern.

1. To harden, as corn in ripening. [Obs.]
2. To take the form of kernels; to granulate. [Obs.]

   It is observed that rain makes the salt kern.

1. Kernel; corn; grain. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
2. The last handful or sheaf reaped at the harvest.
3. The harvest-home.