Definitions For Dern

Verb

{{inflection of, sga, dogní, do·gní, 1, s, pres, subj, prototonic ro-form}}

Alternative forms

dearn, darn

Etymology 1

{{PIE root, en, dʰer}}From Middle English dern, derne, from {{inh, en, ang, dyrne}}, dierne, , secret, from {{inh, en, gem-pro, darniją, , secret}}, from {{der, en, ine-pro, *dʰer-, , to hold, hold tight, support}}. See below.

Noun

DERN (plural DERNs) (obsolete) A secret; secrecy. (obsolete) A secret place; hiding. (obsolete) An obscure language. (obsolete) darkness, darkness; obscurity.

Derived terms

in dern

Etymology 2

{{PIE root, en, dʰer}} From Middle English dern, derne, from {{inh, en, ang, dyrne}}, dierne, , hidden, secret, retired, obscure, remote, eluding detection, concealed, deceitful, evil, magical, from {{inh, en, gem-pro, darnijaz, , hidden, masked}}, from {{der, en, ine-pro, *dʰer-, , to hold, hold tight, support}}. Cognate with {{cog, ofs, dern}}, dren, , hidden, secret, {{cog, osx, derni, , hidden, secret}}, {{cog, goh, tarni, , hidden}}.

Adjective

(obsolete) hidden, hidden; secret; private.

Etymology 3

{{PIE root, en, dʰer}} From Middle English dernen, dærnen, from {{inh, en, ang, dyrnan}}, diernan, , to keep secret, conceal, hide, restrain, repress, hide oneself, from {{inh, en, gem-pro, darnijaną, , to conceal}}, from {{der, en, ine-pro, *dʰer-, , to hold, hold tight, support}}. Cognate with {{cog, osx, dernian, , to conceal}}, {{cog, de, tarnen, , to camougflage, disguise}}. See also darn, tarnish.

Verb

{{en-verb}} (transitive, obsolete) To hide; secrete, as in a hole. (intransitive, obsolete) To hide oneself; skulk.

Etymology 4

Uncertain.

Noun

DERN (plural DERNs) (UK) A gatepost or doorpost.

Anagrams

NERD, nerd, rend

Old Irish