Tern

Tern (tẽrn), n. [Dan. terne, tærne; akin to Sw. tärna, Icel. þerna; cf. NL. sterna.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of long-winged aquatic birds, allied to the gulls, and belonging to Sterna and various allied genera.

☞ Terns differ from gulls chiefly in their graceful form, in their weaker and more slender bills and feet, and their longer and more pointed wings. The tail is usually forked. Most of the species are white with the back and wings pale gray, and often with a dark head. The common European tern (Sterna hirundo) is found also in Asia and America. Among other American species are the arctic tern (S. paradisæa), the roseate tern (S. Dougalli), the least tern (S. Antillarum), the royal tern (S. maxima), and the sooty tern (S. fuliginosa).

Hooded tern. See Fairy bird, under Fairy. — Marsh tern, any tern of the genus Hydrochelidon. They frequent marshes and rivers and feed largely upon insects. — River tern, any tern belonging to Seëna or allied genera which frequent rivers. — Sea tern, any tern of the genus Thalasseus. Terns of this genus have very long, pointed wings, and chiefly frequent seas and the mouths of large rivers.

Tern (tẽrn), a. [L. pl. terni three each, three; akin to tres three. See Three, and cf. Trine.] Threefold; triple; consisting of three; ternate.

Tern flowers (Bot.), flowers growing three and three together. — Tern leaves (Bot.), leaves arranged in threes, or three by three, or having three in each whorl or set. — Tern peduncles (Bot.), three peduncles growing together from the same axis. — Tern schooner (Naut.), a three-masted schooner.

Tern, n. [F. terne. See Tern, a.] That which consists of, or pertains to, three things or numbers together; especially, a prize in a lottery resulting from the favorable combination of three numbers in the drawing; also, the three numbers themselves.

She'd win a tern in Thursday's lottery. Mrs. Browning.