Definition of "dern" in English

noun

1. (obsolete) A secret; secrecy.

2. (obsolete) A secret place; hiding.

3. (obsolete) An obscure language.

4. (obsolete) Darkness; obscurity.

adjective

1. (obsolete, dialectal) Hidden; secret; private.

verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To hide; secrete, as in a hole.

2. (intransitive, obsolete) To hide oneself; skulk.

noun

1. (UK) A gatepost or doorpost.

   • 1855, Charles Kingsley, Westward Ho!, Ch. XIV, How Salvation Yeo Slew the King of the Gubbings 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 […]