Obs. exc. as F. Also 6 tern. [a. F. terne dull, tarnished (15th c. in Godef.); of doubtful origin: see TARNISH v.]
† 1. Gloomy; fierce. Sc. Obs. Also † Terned a.
1508. Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 261. Thought ȝe as tygris be terne, be tretable in luf.
a. 1568. O wicket Women, etc., 15, in Bannatyne Poems (Hunter. Cl.), 769. Als terne as tygir, of tung vntollerable, O thow violent virago vennemous.
1638. R. Baillie, Lett. & Jrnls. (1841), I. 160. The Moderator a most grave and wise man yet naturally somewhat terned took me up a little accurtlie.
† b. as sb. Gloom. Sc. Obs. rare–1.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxxxv. (Ballat of Our Lady), 7. Our tern inferne for to dispern, Helpe rialest rosyne.
ǁ 2. (as Fr.) Dull, lacking brilliancy of coloring.
1901. Daily News, 5 Feb., 6/5. In the large sketch from Tintoret’s ‘Adoration,’… the colour is dull and terne.
