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kern1
/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; < F carne corner of type L cardin- (s. of cardo) hinge]kern2/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.[ < G Kern KERNEL; see KERN4]kern3/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 < Ir ceithern band of foot soldiers; cf. CATERAN]kern4/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]kern5/kerrn/, v.t., v.i., n. Scot. and North Eng.churn.kern6/kerrn/, n. Scot. and North Eng.kirn2.
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Universalium. 2010.