Hern

Pronunciation

• IPA: /hɜːn/

From Middle English herne, hyrne, from Old English hyrne ("corner"), from Proto-Germanic *hurnijō, *hurnijǭ ("projecting point, corner, angle"), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱera(w)-, *ḱrū- ("horn"). More at hirn.

Full definition of hern

Noun

1. (obsolete or dialectal) Corner.

From English dialectal hern, from her + -n, adjective formative. Compare hisn.

Pronoun

1. (archaic, dialectal, England, US) hers; her own.

Dialectal variant of en.

Noun

1. (dialectal or poetic) heron.
• 1662, Henry More, , Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 73:"Now for Swans & Ducks, and such like Birds of the Water, it is obvious to take notice how well they are fitted for that manner of life. For those that swim, their Feet are framed for it like a pair of Oars, their Claws being connected with a pretty broad Membrane; and their Necks are long, that they may dive deep enough into the water. As also the Neck of the Hern, and such like Fowl who live of Fishes, and are fain to frequent their Element, who walk on long stilts also like the people that dwell in the Marshes; but their Claws have no such Membranes, for they had been but a hindrance to those kind of Birds that onely wade in the water, and do not swim."----