Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - kern

 I. biographical name Jerome David 1885-1945 American composer  II. geographical name river 150 miles (241 kilometers) S central California flowing SW into a reservoir KERN  I. noun  or ~e  Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Middle Irish cethern band of soldiers  Date: 15th century  1. a light-armed foot soldier of medieval Ireland or Scotland  2. yokel  II. noun  Etymology: French carne corner, from French dialect, from Latin cardin-, cardo hinge  Date: 1683 a part of a typeset letter that projects beyond its side bearings