Tern Definition
tûrn
terns
noun
Any of several shorebirds (family Laridae) with webbed feet, a deeply forked tail, a straight bill, and a slender body; sea swallow.
Webster's New World
Any of various seabirds primarily of the genus Sterna found worldwide, typically smaller than a gull and having a forked tail.
American Heritage
A set of three, especially a combination of three numbers that wins a lottery.
American Heritage
A three-masted schooner.
American Heritage
adjective
Other Word Forms of Tern
Noun
Singular:
tern
Plural:
ternsOrigin of Tern
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Middle English terne from Old French from ternes from Latin ternās accusative pl. of ternī three each from ter thrice trei- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From a Scandinavian language, related to Danish terne, Swedish tärna, ultimately from Old Norse þerna
From Wiktionary
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French terne. See tern (adjective).
From Wiktionary
Of Scandinavian origin
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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