English Dictionary
There are currently 1242 EnglishDictionary in this directory beginning with the letter K.
K
Kafal (n.) The Arabian name of two trees of the genus Balsamodendron, which yield a gum resin and a red aromatic wood.
Kagu (n.) A singular, crested, grallatorial bird (Rhinochetos jubatus), native of New Caledonia. It is gray above, paler beneath, and the feathers of the wings and tail are handsomely barred with brown, black, and gray. It is allied to the sun bittern.
Kainite (n.) A compound salt consisting chiefly of potassium chloride and magnesium sulphate, occurring at the Stassfurt salt mines in Prussian Saxony.
Kairine (n.) A pale buff or white crystalline alkaloid derived from quinoline, and used as an antipyretic in medicine.
Kairoline (n.) An organic base obtained from quinoline. It is used as a febrifuge, and resembles kairine.
Kaiser (n.) The ancient title of emperors of Germany assumed by King William of Prussia when crowned sovereign of the new German empire in 1871.
Kaka (n.) A New Zealand parrot of the genus Nestor, especially the brown parrot (Nestor meridionalis).
Kakaralli (n.) A kind of wood common in Demerara, durable in salt water, because not subject to the depredations of the sea worm and barnacle.
Kalasie (n.) A long-tailed monkey of Borneo (Semnopithecus rubicundus). It has a tuft of long hair on the head.
Kale (n.) A variety of cabbage in which the leaves do not form a head, being nearly the original or wild form of the species.
Kaleege (n.) One of several species of large, crested, Asiatic pheasants, belonging to the genus Euplocamus, and allied to the firebacks.
Kali (n.) The last and worst of the four ages of the world; -- considered to have begun B. C. 3102, and to last 432,000 years.
Kalmia (n.) A genus of North American shrubs with poisonous evergreen foliage and corymbs of showy flowers. Called also mountain laurel, ivy bush, lamb kill, calico bush, etc.
Kalpa (n.) One of the Brahmanic eons, a period of 4,320,000,000 years. At the end of each Kalpa the world is annihilated.
Kama (n.) The Hindoo Cupid. He is represented as a beautiful youth, with a bow of sugar cane or flowers.
Kamala (n.) The red dusty hairs of the capsules of an East Indian tree (Mallotus Philippinensis) used for dyeing silk. It is violently emetic, and is used in the treatment of tapeworm.
Kami (n. pl.) A title given to the celestial gods of the first mythical dynasty of Japan and extended to the demigods of the second dynasty, and then to the long line of spiritual princes still represented by the mikado.
Kamptulicon (n.) A kind of elastic floor cloth, made of India rubber, gutta-percha, linseed oil, and powdered cork.
Kampylite (n.) A variety of mimetite or arseniate of lead in hexagonal prisms of a fine orange yellow.
Kanchil (n.) A small chevrotain of the genus Tragulus, esp. T. pygmaeus, or T. kanchil, inhabiting Java, Sumatra, and adjacent islands; a deerlet. It is noted for its agility and cunning.
Kansas (n. pl.) A tribe of Indians allied to the Winnebagoes and Osages. They formerly inhabited the region which is now the State of Kansas, but were removed to the Indian Territory.
Kantian (a.) Of or pertaining to Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher; conformed or relating to any or all of the philosophical doctrines of Immanuel Kant.
Kaoline (n.) A very pure white clay, ordinarily in the form of an impalpable powder, and used to form the paste of porcelain; China clay; porcelain clay. It is chiefly derived from the decomposition of common feldspar.
Kapelle (n.) A chapel; hence, the choir or orchestra of a prince's chapel; now, a musical establishment, usually orchestral.
Karaite (n.) A sect of Jews who adhere closely to the letter of the Scriptures, rejecting the oral law, and allowing the Talmud no binding authority; -- opposed to the Rabbinists.
Karma (n.) One's acts considered as fixing one's lot in the future existence. (Theos.) The doctrine of fate as the inflexible result of cause and effect; the theory of inevitable consequence.
Karpholite (n.) A fibrous mineral occurring in tufts of a straw-yellow color. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and manganese.
Karreo (n.) One of the dry table-lands of South Africa, which often rise terracelike to considerable elevations.
Karyomiton (n.) The reticular network of fine fibers, of which the nucleus of a cell is in part composed; -- in opposition to kytomiton, or the network in the body of the cell.
Karyoplasma (n.) The protoplasmic substance of the nucleus of a cell: nucleoplasm; -- in opposition to kytoplasma, the protoplasm of the cell.
Karyostenosis (n.) Direct cell division (in which there is first a simple division of the nucleus, without any changes in its structure, followed by division of the protoplasm of the karyostenotic mode of nuclear division.
Katabolic (a.) Of or pertaining to katabolism; as, katabolic processes, which give rise to substances (katastates) of decreasing complexity and increasing stability.
Katabolism (n.) Destructive or downward metabolism; regressive metamorphism; -- opposed to anabolism. See Disassimilation.
Katastate (n.) (Physiol.) A substance formed by a katabolic process; -- opposed to anastate. See Katabolic.
Kathetal (a.) Making a right angle; perpendicular, as two lines or two sides of a triangle, which include a right angle.
Kattinumdoo (n.) A caoutchouc like substance obtained from the milky juice of the East Indian Euphorbia Kattimundoo. It is used as a cement.
Kauri (n.) A lofty coniferous tree of New Zealand Agathis, / Dammara, australis), furnishing valuable timber and yielding one kind of dammar resin.
Kava (n.) A species of Macropiper (M. methysticum), the long pepper, from the root of which an intoxicating beverage is made by the Polynesians, by a process of mastication; also, the beverage itself.
Kawaka (n.) a New Zealand tree, the Cypress cedar (Libocedrus Doniana), having a valuable, fine-grained, reddish wood.
Kayak (n.) A light canoe, made of skins stretched over a frame, and usually capable of carrying but one person, who sits amidships and uses a double-bladed paddle. It is peculiar to the Eskimos and other Arctic tribes.
Keckle (v. t.) To wind old rope around, as a cable, to preserve its surface from being fretted, or to wind iron chains around, to defend from the friction of a rocky bottom, or from the ice.
Kedge (n.) To move (a vessel) by carrying out a kedge in a boat, dropping it overboard, and hauling the vessel up to it.
Kedge (v. t.) A small anchor used whenever a large one can be dispensed witch. See Kedge, v. t., and Anchor, n.
Keel (n.) A barge or lighter, used on the Type for carrying coal from Newcastle; also, a barge load of coal, twenty-one tons, four cwt.
Keel (n.) The two lowest petals of the corolla of a papilionaceous flower, united and inclosing the stamens and pistil; a carina. See Carina.
Keelage (n.) The right of demanding a duty or toll for a ship entering a port; also, the duty or toll.
Keeler (n.) A small or shallow tub; esp., one used for holding materials for calking ships, or one used for washing dishes, etc.
Keelhaul (v. i.) To haul under the keel of a ship, by ropes attached to the yardarms on each side. It was formerly practiced as a punishment in the Dutch and English navies.
Keelson (n.) A piece of timber in a ship laid on the middle of the floor timbers over the keel, and binding the floor timbers to the keel; in iron vessels, a structure of plates, situated like the keelson of a timber ship.
Keen (superl.) Acute of mind; sharp; penetrating; having or expressing mental acuteness; as, a man of keen understanding; a keen look; keen features.
Keen (superl.) Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe; as, keen satire or sarcasm.
Keen (superl.) Piercing; penetrating; cutting; sharp; -- applied to cold, wind, etc, ; as, a keen wind; the cold is very keen.
Keep (n.) The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Keep (v. i.) To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.
Keep (v. t.) To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
Keep (v. t.) To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc. ; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
Keep (v. t.) To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Keep (v. t.) To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
Keep (v. t.) To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
Keep (v. t.) To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Keep (v. t.) To observe duty, as a festival, etc. ; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
Keep (v. t.) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
Keep (v. t.) To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Keep (v. t.) To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc. ; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.
Keeper (n.) One who has the care, custody, or superintendence of anything; as, the keeper of a park, a pound, of sheep, of a gate, etc. ; the keeper of attached property; hence, one who saves from harm; a defender; a preserver.
Keeper (n.) One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the charge of prisoners.
Keeper (n.) One who, or that which, keeps; one who, or that which, holds or has possession of anything.
Keeping (n.) Conformity; congruity; harmony; consistency; as, these subjects are in keeping with each other.
Keeping (n.) Harmony or correspondence between the different parts of a work of art; as, the foreground of this painting is not in keeping.
Keilhau-ite (n.) A mineral of a brownish black color, related to titanite in form. It consists chiefly of silica, titanium dioxide, lime, and yttria.
Keitloa (n.) A black, two-horned, African rhinoceros (Atelodus keitloa). It has the posterior horn about as long as the anterior one, or even longer.
Kelp (n.) The calcined ashes of seaweed, -- formerly much used in the manufacture of glass, now used in the manufacture of iodine.
Kelpfish (n.) A small California food fish (Heterostichus rostratus), living among kelp. The name is also applied to species of the genus Platyglossus.
Kelpy (n.) An imaginary spirit of the waters, horselike in form, vulgarly believed to warn, by preternatural noises and lights, those who are to be drowned.
Kendal () A cloth colored green by dye obtained from the woad-waxen, formerly used by Flemish weavers at Kendal, in Westmoreland, England.
Keno (n.) A gambling game, a variety of the game of lotto, played with balls or knobs, numbered, and cards also numbered.
Kenogenesis (n.) Modified evolution, in which nonprimitive characters make their appearance in consequence of a secondary adaptation of the embryo to the peculiar conditions of its environment; -- distinguished from palingenesis.
Kent bugle () A curved bugle, having six finger keys or stops, by means of which the performer can play upon every key in the musical scale; -- called also keyed bugle, and key bugle.
Kephalin (n.) One of a group of nitrogenous phosphorized principles, supposed by Thudichum to exist in brain tissue.
Keramographic (a.) Suitable to be written upon; capable of being written upon, as a slate; -- said especially of a certain kind of globe.
Kerasin (n.) A nitrogenous substance free from phosphorus, supposed to be present in the brain; a body closely related to cerebrin.
Keratonyxis (n.) The operation of removing a cataract by thrusting a needle through the cornea of the eye, and breaking up the opaque mass.
Keratosa (n. pl.) An order of sponges having a skeleton composed of hornlike fibers. It includes the commercial sponges.
Keratose (n.) A tough, horny animal substance entering into the composition of the skeleton of sponges, and other invertebrates; -- called also keratode.
Kerite (n.) A compound in which tar or asphaltum combined with animal or vegetable oils is vulcanized by sulphur, the product closely resembling rubber; -- used principally as an insulating material in telegraphy.
Kermes (n.) A small European evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) on which the kermes insect (Coccus ilicis) feeds.
Kern (n.) A light-armed foot soldier of the ancient militia of Ireland and Scotland; -- distinguished from gallowglass, and often used as a term of contempt.
Kernel (n.) A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
Kernel (n.) The central, substantial or essential part of anything; the gist; the core; as, the kernel of an argument.
Kernel (n.) The essential part of a seed; all that is within the seed walls; the edible substance contained in the shell of a nut; hence, anything included in a shell, husk, or integument; as, the kernel of a nut. See Illust. of Endocarp.
Kestrel (n.) A small, slender European hawk (Falco alaudarius), allied to the sparrow hawk. Its color is reddish fawn, streaked and spotted with white and black. Also called windhover and stannel. The name is also applied to other allied species.
Ketch (n.) An almost obsolete form of vessel, with a mainmast and a mizzenmast, -- usually from one hundred to two hundred and fifty tons burden.
Ketine (n.) One of a series of organic bases obtained by the reduction of certain isonitroso compounds of the ketones. In general they are unstable oily substances having a pungent aromatic odor.
Ketmie (n.) The name of certain African species of Hibiscus, cultivated for the acid of their mucilage.
Ketol (n.) One of a series of series of complex nitrogenous substances, represented by methyl ketol and related to indol.
Kettle (n.) A metallic vessel, with a wide mouth, often without a cover, used for heating and boiling water or other liguids.
Kettledrum (n.) A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.
Kettledrum (n.) An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5.
Key (n.) A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.
Key (n.) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit.
Key (n.) An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.
Key (n.) An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.
Key (n.) That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.
Key (n.) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.
Key (n.) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote.
Keyhole (n.) A hole or excavation in beams intended to be joined together, to receive the key which fastens them.
Keynote (n.) The fundamental fact or idea; that which gives the key; as, the keynote of a policy or a sermon.
Keynote (n.) The tonic or first tone of the scale in which a piece or passage is written; the fundamental tone of the chord, to which all the modulations of the piece are referred; -- called also key tone.
Keystone (n.) The central or topmost stone of an arch. This in some styles is made different in size from the other voussoirs, or projects, or is decorated with carving. See Illust. of Arch.
Khan (n.) A king; a prince; a chief; a governor; -- so called among the Tartars, Turks, and Persians, and in countries now or formerly governed by them.
Khaya (n.) A lofty West African tree (Khaya Senegalensis), related to the mahogany, which it resembles in the quality of the wood. The bark is used as a febrifuge.
Khedive (n.) A governor or viceroy; -- a title granted in 1867 by the sultan of Turkey to the ruler of Egypt.
Khutbah (n.) An address or public prayer read from the steps of the pulpit in Mohammedan mosques, offering glory to God, praising Mohammed and his descendants, and the ruling princes.
Kibitka (n.) A rude kind of Russian vehicle, on wheels or on runners, sometimes covered with cloth or leather, and often used as a movable habitation.
Kick (n.) The projection on the tang of the blade of a pocket knife, which prevents the edge of the blade from striking the spring. See Illust. of Pocketknife.
Kick (v. t.) To strike, thrust, or hit violently with the foot; as, a horse kicks a groom; a man kicks a dog.
Kickapoos (n. pl.) A tribe of Indians which formerly occupied the region of Northern Illinois, allied in language to the Sacs and Foxes.
Kid (n.) A small wooden mess tub; -- a name given by sailors to one in which they receive their food.
Kidderminster (n.) A kind of ingrain carpeting, named from the English town where formerly most of it was manufactured.
Kidnap (v. t.) To take (any one) by force or fear, and against one's will, with intent to carry to another place.
Kidney (n.) A glandular organ which excretes urea and other waste products from the animal body; a urinary gland.
Kier (n.) A large tub or vat in which goods are subjected to the action of hot lye or bleaching liquor; -- also called keeve.
Kieselguhr (n.) Siliceous earth; specifically, porous infusorial earth, used as an absorbent of nitroglycerin in the manufacture of dynamite.
Kilderkin (n.) A small barrel; an old liquid measure containing eighteen English beer gallons, or nearly twenty-two gallons, United States measure.
Kill (n.) A channel or arm of the sea; a river; a stream; as, the channel between Staten Island and Bergen Neck is the Kill van Kull, or the Kills; -- used also in composition; as, Schuylkill, Catskill, etc.
Kill (v. t.) To cause to cease; to quell; to calm; to still; as, in seamen's language, a shower of rain kills the wind.
Kill (v. t.) To deprive of life, animal or vegetable, in any manner or by any means; to render inanimate; to put to death; to slay.
Killing (a.) Literally, that kills; having power to kill; fatal; in a colloquial sense, conquering; captivating; irresistible.
Killock (n.) A small anchor; also, a kind of anchor formed by a stone inclosed by pieces of wood fastened together.
Kilogrammetre (n.) A measure of energy or work done, being the amount expended in raising one kilogram through the height of one meter, in the latitude of Paris.
Kilolitre (n.) A measure of capacity equal to a cubic meter, or a thousand liters. It is equivalent to 35.315 cubic feet, and to 220.04 imperial gallons, or 264.18 American gallons of 321 cubic inches.
Kilometre (n.) A measure of length, being a thousand meters. It is equal to 3,280.8 feet, or 62137 of a mile.
Kilt (n.) A kind of short petticoat, reaching from the waist to the knees, worn in the Highlands of Scotland by men, and in the Lowlands by young boys; a filibeg.
Kilting (n.) A perpendicular arrangement of flat, single plaits, each plait being folded so as to cover half the breadth of the preceding one.
Kin (n.) A primitive Chinese instrument of the cittern kind, with from five to twenty-five silken strings.
Kin (n.) Relationship, consanguinity, or affinity; connection by birth or marriage; kindred; near connection or alliance, as of those having common descent.
Kind (a.) Nature; style; character; sort; fashion; manner; variety; description; class; as, there are several kinds of eloquence, of style, and of music; many kinds of government; various kinds of soil, etc.
Kind (superl.) Having feelings befitting our common nature; congenial; sympathetic; as, a kind man; a kind heart.
Kind (superl.) Proceeding from, or characterized by, goodness, gentleness, or benevolence; as, a kind act.
Kind (superl.) Showing tenderness or goodness; disposed to do good and confer happiness; averse to hurting or paining; benevolent; benignant; gracious.
Kind-hearted (a.) Having kindness of nature; sympathetic; characterized by a humane disposition; as, a kind-hearted landlord.
Kindle (v. t.) Fig.: To inflame, as the passions; to rouse; to provoke; to excite to action; to heat; to fire; to animate; to incite; as, to kindle anger or wrath; to kindle the flame of love, or love into a flame.
Kindle (v. t.) To set on fire; to cause to burn with flame; to ignite; to cause to begin burning; to start; to light; as, to kindle a match, or shavings.
Kindliness (n.) The quality or state of being kindly; benignity; benevolence; gentleness; tenderness; as, kindliness of disposition, of treatment, or of words.
Kindly (adv.) In a kind manner; congenially; with good will; with a disposition to make others happy, or to oblige.
Kindly (n.) Humane; congenial; sympathetic; hence, disposed to do good to; benevolent; gracious; kind; helpful; as, kindly affections, words, acts, etc.
Kindness (a.) The state or quality of being kind, in any of its various senses; manifestation of kind feeling or disposition beneficence.
Kindred (a.) Related; congenial; of the like nature or properties; as, kindred souls; kindred skies; kindred propositions.
Kindred (n.) Relatives by blood or marriage, more properly the former; relations; persons related to each other.
Kinematics (n.) The science which treats of motions considered in themselves, or apart from their causes; the comparison and relation of motions.
Kinesiatrics (n.) A mode of treating disease by appropriate muscular movements; -- also termed kinesitherapy, kinesipathy, lingism, and the movement cure.
Kinesodic (a.) Conveying motion; as; kinesodic substance; -- applied esp. to the spinal cord, because it is capable of conveying doth voluntary and reflex motor impulses, without itself being affected by motor impulses applied to it directly.
Kinetogenesis (n.) An instrument for producing curves by the combination of circular movements; -- called also kinescope.
King (n.) A chief ruler; a sovereign; one invested with supreme authority over a nation, country, or tribe, usually by hereditary succession; a monarch; a prince.
King (n.) A Chinese musical instrument, consisting of resonant stones or metal plates, arranged according to their tones in a frame of wood, and struck with a hammer.
King (n.) One who, or that which, holds a supreme position or rank; a chief among competitors; as, a railroad king; a money king; the king of the lobby; the king of beasts.
King Charles spaniel () A variety of small pet dogs, having, drooping ears, a high, dome-shaped forehead, pug nose, large, prominent eyes, and long, wavy hair. The color is usually black and tan.
Kingbolt (n.) A vertical iron bolt, by which the forward axle and wheels of a vehicle or the trucks of a railroad car are connected with the other parts.
Kingdom (n.) An extensive scientific division distinguished by leading or ruling characteristics; a principal division; a department; as, the mineral kingdom.
Kingdom (n.) The rank, quality, state, or attributes of a king; royal authority; sovereign power; rule; dominion; monarchy.
Kingdom (n.) The territory or country subject to a king or queen; the dominion of a monarch; the sphere in which one is king or has control.
Kingfish (n.) An American marine food fish of the genus Menticirrus, especially M. saxatilis, or M. nebulosos, of the Atlantic coast; -- called also whiting, surf whiting, and barb.
Kinglet (n.) Any one of several species of small singing birds of the genus Regulus and family Sylviidae.
Kingly (superl.) Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king; characteristic of, resembling, a king; directed or administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal; august; noble; grand.
Kingston metal () An alloy of tin, copper, and mercury, sometimes used for the bearings and packings of machinery.
Kingston valve () A conical valve, opening outward, to close the mouth of a pipe which passes through the side of a vessel below the water line.
Kink (n.) A twist or loop in a rope or thread, caused by a spontaneous doubling or winding upon itself; a close loop or curl; a doubling in a cord.
Kino (n.) The dark red dried juice of certain plants, used variously in tanning, in dyeing, and as an astringent in medicine.
Kinsfolk (n.) Relatives; kindred; kin; persons of the same family or closely or closely related families.
Kioways (n. pl.) A tribe of Indians distantly related to the Shoshones. They formerly inhabited the region about the head waters of the North Platte.
Kipper (n.) A salmon split open, salted, and dried or smoked; -- so called because salmon after spawning were usually so cured, not being good when fresh.
Kipskin (n.) Leather prepared from the skin of young or small cattle, intermediate in grade between calfskin and cowhide.
Kirk (n.) A church or the church, in the various senses of the word; esp., the Church of Scotland as distinguished from other reformed churches, or from the Roman Catholic Church.
Kirkman (n.) A member of the Church of Scotland, as distinguished from a member of another communion.
Kirmess (n.) In Europe, particularly in Belgium and Holland, and outdoor festival and fair; in the United States, generally an indoor entertainment and fair combined.
Kirschwasser (n.) An alcoholic liquor, obtained by distilling the fermented juice of the small black cherry.
Kirumbo (n.) A bird of Madagascar (Leptosomus discolor), the only living type of a family allied to the rollers. It has a pair of loral plumes. The male is glossy green above, with metallic reflections; the female is spotted with brown and black.
Kiss (v. i.) To make or give salutation with the lips in token of love, respect, etc.; as, kiss and make friends.
Kiss (v. t.) To salute with the lips, as a mark of affection, reverence, submission, forgiveness, etc.
Kiss (v.) A salutation with the lips, as a token of affection, respect, etc.; as, a parting kiss; a kiss of reconciliation.
Kissingcrust (n.) The portion of the upper crust of a loaf which has touched another loaf in baking.
Kist (n.) A stated payment, especially a payment of rent for land; hence, the time for such payment.
Kit (m.) A box for working implements; hence, a working outfit, as of a workman, a soldier, and the like.
Kit (m.) A group of separate parts, things, or individuals; -- used with whole, and generally contemptuously; as, the whole kit of them.
Kit (m.) A wooden tub or pail, smaller at the top than at the bottom; as, a kit of butter, or of mackerel.
Kitcat (a.) Designating a club in London, to which Addison and Steele belonged; -- so called from Christopher Cat, a pastry cook, who served the club with mutton pies.
Kitcat (n.) A game played by striking with a stick small piece of wood, called a cat, shaped like two cones united at their bases; tipcat.
Kite (n.) A light frame of wood or other material covered with paper or cloth, for flying in the air at the end of a string.
Kite (n.) Any raptorial bird of the subfamily Milvinae, of which many species are known. They have long wings, adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail.
Kite (n.) Fictitious commercial paper used for raising money or to sustain credit, as a check which represents no deposit in bank, or a bill of exchange not sanctioned by sale of goods; an accommodation check or bill.
Kiteflying (n.) A mode of raising money, or sustaining one's credit, by the use of paper which is merely nominal; -- called also kiting.
Kittiwake (n.) A northern gull (Rissa tridactyla), inhabiting the coasts of Europe and America. It is white, with black tips to the wings, and has but three toes.
Kiwikiwi (n.) Any species of Apteryx, esp. A. australis; -- so called in imitation of its notes. Called also kiwi. See Apteryx.
Klamaths (n. pl.) A collective name for the Indians of several tribes formerly living along the Klamath river, in California and Oregon, but now restricted to a reservation at Klamath Lake; -- called also Clamets and Hamati.
Kleptomania (n.) A propensity to steal, claimed to be irresistible. This does not constitute legal irresponsibility.
Klipdachs (n.) A small mammal (Hyrax Capensis), found in South Africa. It is of about the size of a rabbit, and closely resembles the daman. Called also rock rabbit.
Klipspringer (n.) A small, graceful South African antelope (Nanotragus oreotragus), which, like the chamois, springs from one crag to another with great agility; -- called also kainsi.
Knacker (n.) One of two or more pieces of bone or wood held loosely between the fingers, and struck together by moving the hand; -- called also clapper.
Knap (n.) A protuberance; a swelling; a knob; a button; hence, rising ground; a summit. See Knob, and Knop.
Knapsack (v. t.) A case of canvas or leather, for carrying on the back a soldier's necessaries, or the clothing, etc., of a traveler.
Knapweed (n.) The black centaury (Centaurea nigra); -- so called from the knoblike heads of flowers. Called also bullweed.
Knavish (a.) Like or characteristic of a knave; given to knavery; trickish; fraudulent; dishonest; villainous; as, a knavish fellow, or a knavish trick.
Knead (v. t.) To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands; esp., to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles, into a well mixed mass, as the materials of bread, cake, etc.; as, to knead dough.
Knebelite (n.) A mineral of a gray, red, brown, or green color, and glistening luster. It is a silicate of iron and manganese.
Knee (n.) A piece of timber or metal formed with an angle somewhat in the shape of the human knee when bent.
Kneebrush (n.) A thick mass or collection of hairs on the legs of bees, by aid of which they carry the collected pollen to the hive or nest; -- usually in the plural.
Kneebrush (n.) A tuft or brush of hair on the knees of some species of antelopes and other animals; -- chiefly used in the plural.
Kneed (a.) Geniculated; forming an obtuse angle at the joints, like the knee when a little bent; as, kneed grass.
Kneejoint (n.) A toggle joint; -- so called because consisting of two pieces jointed to each other end to end, making an angle like the knee when bent.
Kneeler (n.) A name given to certain catechumens and penitents who were permitted to join only in parts of church worship.
Kneepan (n.) A roundish, flattened, sesamoid bone in the tendon in front of the knee joint; the patella; the kneecap.
Knell (n.) The stoke of a bell tolled at a funeral or at the death of a person; a death signal; a passing bell; hence, figuratively, a warning of, or a sound indicating, the passing away of anything.
Knell (n.) To sound as a knell; especially, to toll at a death or funeral; hence, to sound as a warning or evil omen.
Knife-edge (n.) A piece of steel sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the axis of motion of a pendulum, scale beam, or other piece required to oscillate with the least possible friction.
Knight (n.) In feudal times, a man-at-arms serving on horseback and admitted to a certain military rank with special ceremonies, including an oath to protect the distressed, maintain the right, and live a stainless life.
Knight (n.) One on whom knighthood, a dignity next below that of baronet, is conferred by the sovereign, entitling him to be addressed as Sir; as, Sir John.
Knight (v. t.) To dub or create (one) a knight; -- done in England by the sovereign only, who taps the kneeling candidate with a sword, saying: Rise, Sir ---.
Knight bachelor () A knight of the most ancient, but lowest, order of English knights, and not a member of any order of chivalry. See Bachelor, 4.
Knight marshal () An officer in the household of the British sovereign, who has cognizance of transgressions within the royal household and verge, and of contracts made there, a member of the household being one of the parties.
Knight service () A tenure of lands held by knights on condition of performing military service. See Chivalry, n., 4.
Knight-errant (n.) A wandering knight; a knight who traveled in search of adventures, for the purpose of exhibiting military skill, prowess, and generosity.
Knight-errantry (n.) The character or actions of wandering knights; the practice of wandering in quest of adventures; chivalry; a quixotic or romantic adventure or scheme.
Knighthood (n.) The character, dignity, or condition of a knight, or of knights as a class; hence, chivalry.
Knightly (a.) Of or pertaining to a knight; becoming a knight; chivalrous; as, a knightly combat; a knightly spirit.
Knit (v. i.) To be united closely; to grow together; as, broken bones will in time knit and become sound.
Knit (v. t.) To form, as a textile fabric, by the interlacing of yarn or thread in a series of connected loops, by means of needles, either by hand or by machinery; as, to knit stockings.
Knob (n.) A hard protuberance; a hard swelling or rising; a bunch; a lump; as, a knob in the flesh, or on a bone.
Knock (v. i.) To drive or be driven against something; to strike against something; to clash; as, one heavy body knocks against another.
Knock (v. i.) To strike or beat with something hard or heavy; to rap; as, to knock with a club; to knock on the door.
Knock (v. t.) To strike with something hard or heavy; to move by striking; to drive (a thing) against something; as, to knock a ball with a bat; to knock the head against a post; to knock a lamp off the table.
Knock-knee (n.) A condition in which the knees are bent in so as to touch each other in walking; inknee.
Knockdown (a.) Of force sufficient to fell or completely overthrow; as, a knockdown blow; a knockdown argument.
Knocker (n.) One who, or that which, knocks; specifically, an instrument, or kind of hammer, fastened to a door, to be used in seeking for admittance.
Knoll (v. t.) To ring, as a bell; to strike a knell upon; to toll; to proclaim, or summon, by ringing.
Knop (n.) Any boldly projecting sculptured ornament; esp., the ornamental termination of a pinnacle, and then synonymous with finial; -- called also knob, and knosp.
Knoppern (n.) A kind of gall produced by a gallfly on the cup of an acorn, -- used in tanning and dyeing.
Knot (n.) A cluster of persons or things; a collection; a group; a hand; a clique; as, a knot of politicians.
Knot (n.) A fastening together of the pars or ends of one or more threads, cords, ropes, etc., by any one of various ways of tying or entangling.
Knot (n.) A figure the lines of which are interlaced or intricately interwoven, as in embroidery, gardening, etc.
Knot (n.) A lump or loop formed in a thread, cord, rope. etc., as at the end, by tying or interweaving it upon itself.
Knot (n.) A nautical mile, or 6080.27 feet; as, when a ship goes eight miles an hour, her speed is said to be eight knots.
Knot (v. t.) To tie in or with, or form into, a knot or knots; to form a knot on, as a rope; to entangle.
Knotted (a.) Characterized by small, detached points, chiefly composed of mica, less decomposable than the mass of the rock, and forming knots in relief on the weathered surface; as, knotted rocks.
Knout (n.) A kind of whip for flogging criminals, formerly much used in Russia. The last is a tapering bundle of leather thongs twisted with wire and hardened, so that it mangles the flesh.
Know (v. i.) To be acquainted with; to be no stranger to; to be more or less familiar with the person, character, etc., of; to possess experience of; as, to know an author; to know the rules of an organization.
Know (v. i.) To be convinced of the truth of; to be fully assured of; as, to know things from information.
Know (v. i.) To have knowledge; to have a clear and certain perception; to possess wisdom, instruction, or information; -- often with of.
Know (v. i.) To perceive or apprehend clearly and certainly; to understand; to have full information of; as, to know one's duty.
Know (v. i.) To recognize; to distinguish; to discern the character of; as, to know a person's face or figure.
Know-all (n.) One who knows everything; hence, one who makes pretension to great knowledge; a wiseacre; -- usually ironical.
Know-nothing (n.) A member of a secret political organization in the United States, the chief objects of which were the proscription of foreigners by the repeal of the naturalization laws, and the exclusive choice of native Americans for office.
Knowingly (adv.) With knowledge; in a knowing manner; intelligently; consciously; deliberately; as, he would not knowingly offend.
Knowledge (v. i.) That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life.
Knowledge (v. i.) That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition.
Knowledge (v. i.) That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; -- chiefly used in the plural.
Knowledge (v. i.) The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition.
Knuckle (n.) A contrivance, usually of brass or iron, and furnished with points, worn to protect the hand, to add force to a blow, and to disfigure the person struck; as, brass knuckles; -- called also knuckle duster.
Knuckle (n.) A convex portion of a vessel's figure where a sudden change of shape occurs, as in a canal boat, where a nearly vertical side joins a nearly flat bottom.
Knuckle (n.) The kneejoint, or middle joint, of either leg of a quadruped, especially of a calf; -- formerly used of the kneejoint of a human being.
Knurl (v. t.) To provide with ridges, to assist the grasp, as in the edge of a flat knob, or coin; to mill.
Koala (n.) A tailless marsupial (Phascolarctos cinereus), found in Australia. The female carries her young on the back of her neck. Called also Australian bear, native bear, and native sloth.
Koba (n.) Any one of several species of African antelopes of the genus Kobus, esp. the species Kobus sing-sing.
Kobold (n.) A kind of domestic spirit in German mythology, corresponding to the Scottish brownie and the English Robin Goodfellow.
Koel (n.) Any one of several species of cuckoos of the genus Eudynamys, found in India, the East Indies, and Australia. They deposit their eggs in the nests of other birds.
Kohl (n.) A mixture of soot and other ingredients, used by Egyptian and other Eastern women to darken the edges of the eyelids.
Kohl-rabi (n.) A variety of cabbage, in which the edible part is a large, turnip-shaped swelling of the stem, above the surface of the ground.
Kohnur (n.) A famous diamond, surrendered to the British crown on the annexation of the Punjab. According to Hindoo legends, it was found in a Golconda mine, and has been the property of various Hindoo and Persian rulers.
Koklass (n.) Any pheasant of the genus Pucrasia. The birds of this genus inhabit India and China, and are distinguished by having a long central and two lateral crests on the head. Called also pucras.
Kolarian (n.) An individual of one of the races of aboriginal inhabitants which survive in Hindostan.
Komtok (n.) An African freshwater fish (Protopterus annectens), belonging to the Dipnoi. It can breathe air by means of its lungs, and when waters dry up, it encases itself in a nest of hard mud, where it remains till the rainy season. It is used as food.
Konze (n.) A large African antelope (Alcelaphus Lichtensteini), allied to the hartbeest, but having shorter and flatter horns, and lacking a black patch on the face.
Koolokamba (n.) A west African anthropoid ape (Troglodytes koolokamba, or T. Aubryi), allied to the chimpanzee and gorilla, and, in some respects, intermediate between them.
Koran (n.) The Scriptures of the Mohammedans, containing the professed revelations to Mohammed; -- called also Alcoran.
Korrigum (n.) A West African antelope (Damalis Senegalensis), allied to the sassaby. It is reddish gray, with a black face, and a black stripe on the outside of the legs above the knees.
Kotow (n.) The prostration made by mandarins and others to their superiors, either as homage or worship, by knocking the forehead on the ground. There are degrees in the rite, the highest being expressed by three knockings.
Koulan (n.) A wild horse (Equus, / Asinus, onager) inhabiting the plants of Central Asia; -- called also gour, khur, and onager.
Koumiss (n.) An intoxicating fermented or distilled liquor originally made by the Tartars from mare's or camel's milk. It can be obtained from any kind of milk, and is now largely made in Europe.
Kousso (n.) An Abyssinian rosaceous tree (Brayera anthelmintica), the flowers of which are used as a vermifuge.
Kra (n.) A long-tailed ape (Macacus cynomolgus) of India and Sumatra. It is reddish olive, spotted with black, and has a black tail.
Krait (n.) A very venomous snake of India (Bungarus coeruleus), allied to the cobra. Its upper parts are bluish or brownish black, often with narrow white streaks; the belly is whitish.
Kraken (n.) A fabulous Scandinavian sea monster, often represented as resembling an island, but sometimes as resembling an immense octopus.
Krameria (n.) A genus of spreading shrubs with many stems, from one species of which (K. triandra), found in Peru, rhatany root, used as a medicine, is obtained.
Krameric (a.) Pertaining to, or derived from, Krameria (rhatany); as, krameric acid, usually called ratanhia-tannic acid.
Kremlin (n.) The citadel of a town or city; especially, the citadel of Moscow, a large inclosure which contains imperial palaces, cathedrals, churches, an arsenal, etc.
Kreutzer (n.) A small copper coin formerly used in South Germany; also, a small Austrian copper coin.
Krishna (n.) The most popular of the Hindoo divinities, usually held to be the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu.
Krone (n.) A coin of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, of the value of about twenty-eight cents. See Crown, n., 9.
Krooman (n.) One of a negro tribe of Liberia and the adjacent coast, whose members are much employed on shipboard.
Krupp gun () A breech-loading steel cannon manufactured at the works of Friedrich Krupp, at Essen in Prussia. Guns of over eight-inch bore are made up of several concentric cylinders; those of a smaller size are forged solid.
Kshatruya (n.) The military caste, the second of the four great Hindoo castes; also, a member of that caste. See Caste.
Kummel (n.) A Russian and German liqueur, consisting of a sweetened spirit flavored with caraway seeds.
Kumquat (n.) A small tree of the genus Citrus (C. Japonica) growing in China and Japan; also, its small acid, orange-colored fruit used for preserves.
Kurd (n.) A native or inhabitant of a mountainous region of Western Asia belonging to the Turkish and Persian monarchies.
Kurilian (a.) Of or pertaining to the Kurile Islands, a chain of islands in the Pacific ocean, extending from the southern extremity of Kamschatka to Yesso.
Kursaal (n.) A public hall or room, for the use of visitors at watering places and health resorts in Germany.
Kusimanse (n.) A carnivorous animal (Crossarchus obscurus) of tropical Africa. It its allied to the civets. Called also kusimansel, and mangue.
Kussier (n.) (Mus.) A Turkish instrument of music, with a hollow body covered with skin, over which five strings are stretched.
Kyanize (v. t.) To render (wood) proof against decay by saturating with a solution of corrosive sublimate in open tanks, or under pressure.
Kymograph (n.) An instrument for measuring, and recording graphically, the pressure of the blood in any of the blood vessels of a living animal; -- called also kymographion.
Kynurenic (a.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from the urine of dogs. By decomposition the acid yields a nitrogenous base (called kynurin) and carbonic acid.
Kyrie eleison () Greek words, meaning "Lord, have mercy upon us," used in the Mass, the breviary offices, the litany of the saints, etc.
Kyrie eleison () The name given to the response to the Commandments, in the service of the Church of England and of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Kyriological (a.) Serving to denote objects by conventional signs or alphabetical characters; as, the original Greek alphabet of sixteen letters was called kyriologic, because it represented the pure elementary sounds. See Curiologic.
Kyriology (n.) The use of literal or simple expressions, as distinguished from the use of figurative or obscure ones.
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