1. a lightly armed foot soldier of medieval Ireland or Scotland
Usage: historical

Examples

• The kerne fought with simple weapons like spears and swords.
• Medieval Irish armies included both heavily armored knights and lightly equipped kerne.
• The kerne were known for their mobility and guerrilla tactics.
• Historical accounts describe the kerne as fierce but poorly equipped warriors.
• The English forces struggled against the swift attacks of the Irish kerne.