-ern

American  

1. an adjective suffix occurring with names of directions.

   northern; southern.

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Etymology

Origin of -ern

Middle English, Old English -erne; cognate with Old High German -rōni (as in nordrōni northern)

Example Sentences

The skyrocketing price puts cars firmly out of reach of most middle-class Singaporeans, putting a dent in what sociologist Tan Ern Ser said was the "Singapore Dream" of upward social mobility - having cash, a condominium and a car.

From Reuters

Ern drifts off to sleep his first night in his chalet, but, soon enough, he tells us: “I woke to a hammering at the door. Of course I did. You’ve read these kinds of books before.”

From Washington Post

Ern is constantly stepping out of the fictional frame in an exaggerated effort to “play fair” with the reader, much as the Golden Age mystery writers he reveres mostly did.

From Washington Post

In fact, Ern plays so fair with readers that he ticks off the exact number of deaths — as well as the chapters in which they will take place — before the story proper even begins.

From Washington Post

Every time the plot veers within a mile of a mystery cliche, Ern rings the alarm bells.

From Washington Post