tern

¹

[ turn ]

noun

1. any of numerous aquatic birds of the subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae, related to the gulls but usually having a more slender body and bill, smaller feet, a long, deeply forked tail, and a more graceful flight, especially those of the genus Sterna, as S. hirundo common tern, of Eurasia and America, having white, black, and gray plumage.

tern

²

[ turn ]

noun

1. a set of three.
2. three winning numbers drawn together in a lottery.
3. a prize won by drawing these.

tern

¹

/ tɜːn /

noun

1. any aquatic bird of the subfamily Sterninae, having a forked tail, long narrow wings, a pointed bill, and a typically black-and-white plumage: family Laridae (gulls, etc), order Charadriiformes

tern

²

/ tɜːn /

noun

1. a three-masted schooner
2. rare.
   a group of three

Word History and Origins

Origin of tern¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Danish terne or Norwegian terna; cognate with Old Norse therna

Origin of tern²

1300–50; Middle English terne < Middle French < Italian terno < Latin ternus, singular of ternī three each, triad, akin to ter thrice; three

Word History and Origins

Origin of tern¹

C18: from Old Norse therna; related to Norwegian terna, Swedish tärna

Origin of tern²

C14: from Old French terne, from Italian terno, from Latin ternī three each; related to Latin ter thrice, trēs three

Example Sentences

The Common Tern is a regular but not numerous spring and autumn visitant to the Islands, some remaining to breed.

From Project Gutenberg

I mark this by inserting a paragraph-mark ( ) at the beginning of each tern.

From Project Gutenberg

Each tern is occupied with a distinct subject, which I indicate by headings, viz.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter had shot and wounded a tern, but before he could reach it, the helpless bird was carried off by its companions.

From Project Gutenberg

The common tern and the greater sand-plover nested on the shingly islands in the river.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• vessel
• yacht