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kern1

Syllabification: (kern)
Pronunciation: /kərn/
Printing
Definition of kern

verb

[with object]
  • 1 (usually as noun kerning) adjust the spacing between (letters or characters) in a piece of text to be printed.
  • make (letters) overlap.
  • 2design (metal type) with a projecting part beyond the body or shank.

noun

  • the part of a metal type projecting beyond its body or shank.

Origin:

late 17th century: perhaps from French carne 'corner', from Latin cardo, cardin- 'hinge'

kern in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of kern in the British & World English dictionary

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