Obs. Also 4 tharne, (tarne), þierne. [a. ON. þerna (Sw. tärna, Da. terne) OS. thiorna (Du. deern), OHG. diorna (MHG. dierne, Ger. dirne).] A girl, maid, young woman.
c. 1300. Havelok, 298. Sholde ic yeue a fol, a þerne, Engelond, þou sho it yerne?
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 7353. Two vnweddyd … sengle knaue and sengle tarne [v.r. tharne].
c. 1315. Shoreham, Poems, i. 1726. Þet knaue child fortene ȝer Schel habbe, ane tuel þe þerne.
1340. Ayenb., 129. Þe þierne [of] saynt abraham [i.e., Hagar].
