kirn
1[ kurn; Scots kirn ]
verb (used with or without object)
to churn.
noun
a churn.
Origin of kirn
11300–50; Middle English kirne (noun) <Scandinavian; compare Old Norse kirnuaskr a churn; cognate with churn
- Also kern.
Other definitions for kirn (2 of 2)
kirn2
[ kurn; Scots kirn ]
nounScot. and North England.
a harvest celebration; a feast or party celebrating a successful harvest.
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.: Compare kemp1 (def. 2).
the last handful of oats, wheat, or other grain that is gathered in the harvest.
Origin of kirn
2First recorded in 1770–80; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to corn1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use kirn in a sentence
In the next house that it came to it found the Goodwife in the kitchen, kirning.
The Scottish Fairy Book | Elizabeth W. Grierson
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