Middle English Dictionary Entry
kē̆rne n.
Entry Info
| Forms | kē̆rne n. Also kaerne. |
| Etymology | MIr. ceithern 'a troop of foot soldiers'. Spellings suggest that the Irish word had reached a pronunciation like kehern or ke'ern. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ketherin.
1.
(a) A light-armed Irish foot soldier; (b) an army of such soldiers; (c) a vagabond or rascal.
Associated quotations
a
- (1297) Statutes Ireland 1202 : Fuit eciam eadem Communitas multociens grauata per magnates & alios habentes kaernias.
- (1316) Statutes Ireland 1282 : En meisme la manere soit fait de Keernes quant il vendront en pais et rien pernent contre la voluntie de nully.
- (1352) Statutes Ireland 1376 : Le Roi defent..que nul de quel estat ou condicion qil soit ne teigne kernys, hobellours, ne vdiues en terre de pees.
- (1365) Close R.Edw.III108 : [6 d. for every mounted archer..and 6 d. for three footmen called] kernes.
- (1367) Statutes Ireland 1448 : Si nul home teigne ou mene kernes, hobelours, ou hudyues gentz.
- (1423) RParl.4.199a : The same Erle of Ormonde unlawfuly arestede Thomas Talbot Esquier..and deliverede hyme to Kernes Irish enemye..what tyme the same Kernes hadde hym in governance, they bette hyme.
b
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)133/34 : He Slowe the Same Waltere, wyth a grete kerne dyscomfitid.
c
- 1534(?a1500) Cov.Pl.ST (Croo:Craig)784 : [Herod:] thatt kerne of Bedlem, he schalbe ded.