\Kern\, 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.
         Now for our Irish wars; We must supplant those
         rough, rug-headed kerns.              --Shak.
2. Any kind of boor or low-lived person. [Obs.] --Blount.
3. (O. Eng. Law) An idler; a vagabond. --Wharton.

\Kern\, n. (Type Founding)
A part of the face of a type which projects beyond the body,
or shank.

\Kern\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Kerned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Kerning}. ] (Type Founding)
To form with a kern. See 2d {Kern}.

\Kern\, n. [See {Churn}. ]
A churn. [Prov. Eng.]

\Kern\, n. [AS. cweorn, cwyrn. See {Quern}. ]
A hand mill. See {Quern}. --Johnson.

\Kern\, v. i. [Cf. G. kern kernel, grain; akin to E. corn.
See {Corn}, {Kernel}. ]
1. To harden, as corn in ripening. [Obs.] --Carew.
2. To take the form of kernels; to granulate. [Obs.]
         It is observed that rain makes the salt kern.
                                               --Dampier.

\Kern\, n. [Written also {kirn}.] [Cf. D. & G. kern kernal,
E. kern to harden, kernel.] [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
1. Kernel; corn; grain.
2. The last handful or sheaf reaped at the harvest.
3. The harvest-home.