† therne Obs.
Also 4 tharne, (tarne), þierne.
[a. ON. þerna (Sw. tärna, Da. terne) = OS. thiorna (Du. deern), OHG. diorna (MHG. dierne, Ger. dirne).]
A girl, maid, young woman.
| c 1300 Havelok 298 Sholde ic yeue a fol, a þerne, Engelond, þou sho it yerne? 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 7353 Two vnweddyd..sengle knaue and sengle tarne [v.r. tharne]. c 1315 Shoreham Poems i. 1726 Þet knaue child fortene ȝer Schel habbe, ane tuel þe þerne. 1340 Ayenb. 129 Þe þierne [of] saynt abraham [i.e. Hagar]. |