Ern

Alteration of erne

Full definition of ern

Noun

1. Alternative spelling of erne

From Middle English ernen, from Old English irnan, iernan ("to run, move quickly"), metathetic variant of rinnan ("to run"). More at run.

Alternative forms

• earn Scotland

Verb

1. (UK dialectal) To run; flow.
2. (UK dialectal, Scotland) To (cause to) coagulate; curdle (milk) by adding rennet and applying heat.

Of obscure origin. Perhaps an alteration of erme, from Middle English ermen, from Old English yrman, ierman. Compare also Old Scots urn, uren. More at erme.

Verb

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To stir with strong emotion; grieve; mourn.
2. (UK dialectal, Scotland) To pain; torture.
3. (UK dialectal, Scotland) (of the eyes) To cause to water; smart.

Related terms

• erme

Anagrams

• ner
• ren