kirn
1 Americanverb (used with or without object)
noun
noun
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a harvest celebration; a feast or party celebrating a successful harvest.
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the harvesting of the last handful of oats, wheat, or other grain, noting either the end of the harvest season or the winning of a race against other reapers.
-
the last handful of oats, wheat, or other grain that is gathered in the harvest.
Etymology
Origin of kirn1
1300–50; Middle English kirne (noun) < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse kirnuaskr a churn; cognate with churn
Origin of kirn2
First recorded in 1770–80; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to corn 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Arco's example of an artificial-language, plurals end in s, numerals must follow nouns and kirn, kima, kime, kimi mean who, whose, to whom, and whom.
From Time Magazine Archive
There was the kirn, which, in its present denuded state, told an ugly tale.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 13 by Various
Thence countra wives, wi’ toil an’ pain, May plunge an’ plunge the kirn in vain: For, oh! the yellow treasure’s taen By witching skill; An’ dawtit, twal-pint hawkie’s gaen As yell’s the bill.
From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Robert Burns
As Mr. Morritt has said of him as he appeared at Laird Nippy's kirn of earlier days, "To witness the cordiality of his reception might have unbent a misanthrope."
From Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 6 by J. G. (John Gibson) Lockhart
With these words Corny began his descent, while I, apologising to Mr. Rooney for not having sooner perceived kirn, bowed him into the room with all proper ceremony.
From Jack Hinton The Guardsman by Charles James Lever
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