Printing. [f. KERN v.2] Said of a type that has its top or bottom projecting beyond the square metal or shank.
1683. [see KERN v.2].
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 122/2. Kern, or Kerned Letter; such as have part of their face hanging over … their Shanks.
1824. J. Johnson, Typogr., II. 22. In Roman, f and j are the only kerned letters; but, in Italic, d, g, j, l, y, are kerned on one side, and f on both sides of its face. Ibid. Most Italic capitals are kerned on one side of their face.
