What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Hern vs Dern - What's the difference?

hern | dern |

As nouns the difference between hern and dern

is that hern is corner while dern is a secret; secrecy.

As a pronoun hern

is hers; her own.

As an adjective dern is

hidden; secret; private.

As a verb dern is

to hide; secrete, as in a hole.

hern

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) herne, hyrne, from (etyl) . More at (l).

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete, or, dialectal) Corner.

    • Etymology 2

    From , formed by analogy with (mine), (thine). Compare (l). Displaced in standard speech by the -s form, (m), which see for more.

    Pronoun

    (English Pronouns)
  • Hers; her own.

    • Etymology 3

    Dialectal variant of (m).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (dialectal, or, poetic) heron.
  • * 1662 , , Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 73:
    • "Now for Swans'' & ''Ducks'', and such like ''Birds'' of the ''Water'', it is obvious to take notice how well they are fitted for that manner of life. For those that swim, their ''Feet'' are framed for it like a pair of ''Oars'', their ''Claws'' being connected with a pretty broad Membrane; and their ''Necks'' are long, that they may dive deep enough into the water. As also the ''Neck'' of the ''Hern'' , and such like Fowl who live of Fishes, and are fain to frequent their Element, who walk on long stilts also like the people that dwell in the Marshes; but their ''Claws have no such Membranes, for they had been but a hindrance to those kind of Birds that onely wade in the water, and do not swim."
    English third person pronouns ----

    dern

    English

    Alternative forms

    *

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) dern, derne, from (etyl) dyrne, . See below.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A secret; secrecy.
  • A secret place; hiding.
  • An obscure language.
  • Darkness; obscurity.
    • Derived terms
    *

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) dern, derne, from (etyl) dyrne, .

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Hidden; secret; private.
  • * Dr. H. More, Immortal, of the Soul
    • Now with their backs to the den's mouth they sit, / Yet shoulder not all light from the dern pit.
  • * J. R. Drake, Culprit Fay
    • Through dreary beds of tangled fern, / Through groves of nightshade dark and dern .

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) dernen, .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To hide; secrete, as in a hole.
    • He at length escaped them by derning himself in a fox-earth. ? H. Miller.
  • To hide oneself; skulk.
    • But look how soon they heard of Holoferne / Their courage quail'd, and they began to derne . ? T. Hudson.

    Etymology 4

    Uncertain.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (UK, dialect) A gatepost or doorpost.
    • So I just put my eye between the wall and the dern of the gate, and I saw him come up to the back door''.., Charles Kingsley, ''Westward Ho! , Ch. XIV, How Salvation Yeo Slew the King of the Gubbings.
    ----