dern

1 of 3

adjective

ˈdern,

ˈdərn

1

now chiefly dialectal

a

: hidden, secret

b

: crafty, underhanded

2

now chiefly dialectal : drear, dark, somber, dire

3

dialectal, England : earnest, determined

dern

2 of 3

verb

"

-ed/-ing/-s

now chiefly Scottish

: hide, conceal

dern

3 of 3

ˈdərn,

-ə̄n,

-əin

dialectal variant of darn

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English derne, from Old English dyrne, dierne; akin to Old Saxon derni secret, Old High German tarni, Latin firmus firm

Verb

Middle English dernen, from Old English dyrnan; akin to Old High German ternen, tarnen to hide, conceal, Old Saxon dernian; denominatives from the root of Old English dyrne secret, hidden

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