Definition of "dern" [dern]

• A secret; secrecy. (noun)
• A secret place; hiding. (noun)
• An obscure language. (noun)
• Darkness; obscurity. (noun)
• Hidden; secret; private. (adjective)

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• "The 1789 quotation is from Webster, who takes darn as in darn sweet to be descended from the older word dern, originally meaning"
• "Some kind of dern Noah, gathering up critters two by two? sophisticated Joe Walker asked."
• "I longs to jest call the dern'd fellow out into the bushes, and ax him for a showing of his pockets. ""