keynote speech (or address) a speech, as at a political convention, that sets forth the main line of a policy
keypad (ki:´pæd') •n. an arrangement of push buttons on a computer keyboard, telephone, TV remote control, etc., used to perform certain functions
Keystone (ki:´stoun') •adj. designating, of, or like the slapstick comedy of a series of silent films featuring a bungling, inept squad of policemen (Keystone Kops or Keystone Cops) in wild chases, etc. [after Keystone Comedy Co., the film producers] keystone (ki:´stoun') •n. 1 the central, topmost stone of an arch, popularly thought of as especially holding the others in place: see ARCH¹, illus. 2 that one of a number of associated parts or things that supports or holds together the others; main part or principle
Keystone State name for PENNSYLVANIA: from its central position among the 13 original coloniess
keystroke (ki:´strouk') •n. any of the individual strokes made in operating a keyboard, as of a computer terminal
keyway (-wei') •n. 1 a groove or slot cut in a shaft, hub, etc. to hold the key 2 the keyhole in a lock for a flat key
kg 1 keg(s) 2 kilogram(s)
KGB or K.G.B. the security police and intelligence agency of the Soviet Union, formed in 1954 [Russ K(omitet) G(osudarstvennoj) B(ezopasnosti), Committee of State Security]
Kgs Bible Kings
Khabarovsk (kä bä´röfsk') 1 territory in E Siberia: 965,400 sq. mi. (2,500,400 sq. km); pop. 1,345,000 2 capital of this territory, on the Amur River: pop. 576,000
Khachaturian (kæch'э tur´i: эn, kä'chэ-), A·ram (ær´эm) 1903-78; Soviet composer
Khadafy (kэ dä´fi:) see QADDAFI, Muammar al-
khaddar (käd´эr) •n. homespun cotton cloth made in India Also kha·di (käd´i:) [Hindi khādī]
khaf (khäf, khöf) name of a variant of the eleventh letter (kaf) of the Hebrew alphabet (כ & ך) Also sp. khaph •n. [Heb]
khaki (kæk´i:, kä´ki:) •adj. 1 dull yellowish-brown 2 made of khaki (cloth) •n. pl. -kis 1 a dull yellowish brown 2 strong, twilled cloth of this color, used esp. for military uniforms 3 [often pl.] a khaki uniform or pair of trousers [Hindi khākī, dusty, dust-colored < Pers khāk, dust, earth]
khalif (kei´lif) •n. var. of CALIPH
Khalkha (kæl´kэ) •n. 1 a member of a people of Mongolia 2 the Mongolian language of this people, and the official language of the Mongolian People's Republic
Khalkidiki (khäl'ki ði:´ki:) Gr. name of CHALCIDICE
Khalkis (khäl ki:s´) Gr. name of CHALCIS
khamsin (kæm´sin, kæm si:n´) •n. a hot south wind from the Sahara that blows in the Near East, esp. Egypt, from late March until early May [Ar khamsīn < khamsūn, fifty: so named for the fifty days the wind blows]
khan¹ (kän, kæn) •n. 1 a title given to Genghis Khan and his successors, who ruled Mongolian and Turkic tribes of central Asia and dominated most of Asia during the Middle Ages 2 a title given to various officials and dignitaries in Iran, Afghanistan, etc. [ME c(h)aan (sp. khan since 19th c.) < OFr chan or ML canus < Turkic khān, lord, prince < Mongolian qan, qaγan]
khan² (kän, kæn) •n. in Turkey and some other Asian countries, a public inn; caravansary [Ar khān]
khanate (-eit) •n. the area ruled over by a khan
Khania (khä nyä´) Gr. name of CANEA
khapra beetle (kä´prэ) a dermestid beetle (Trogoderma granarium) native to S and SE Asia, now a destructive grain pest in much of the world [Hindi khaprā, lit., destroyer, akin to Sans ksayati, (he) destroys < IE *gwhthei(e)-, to swindle, destroy > Gr phthiein, to waste away]
Kharagpur (kær´эg pur') city in SW West Bengal, India: pop. 233,000
Kharkov (kär´köf') city in NE Ukraine: pop. 1,554,000
Khartoum (kär tu:m´) capital of Sudan, on the Nile: pop. 476,000
khat (kät) •n. a plant (Catha edulis) of the staff-tree family, found in Africa and Arabia: the fresh leaf is chewed for its stimulating effects or used in tea [Ar qāt]
Khayyám , Omar see OMAR KHAYYÁM
khedive (kэ di:v´) •n. the title of the Turkish viceroys of Egypt, from 1867 to 1914 [Fr khédive < Turk hιdiv < Pers khidīw, prince, ruler]
Kherson (ker sön´) port in S Ukraine, on the Dnepr near its mouth: pop. 346,000
khet or kheth (khet) •n. HET
Khingan Mountains (shiŋ´än´) See DA HINGGAN LING, XIAO HINGGAN LING
Khíos (ki:´ös') Greek island in the Aegean, off the W coast of Turkey
Khiva (ki:´vэ) former khanate in central Asia
Khmer (kэ mer´) •n. 1 a member of a people of Cambodia, who had a highly developed civilization in the Middle Ages 2 the Mon-Khmer language of this people, also spoken in NE Thailand and S Vietnam [< the Khmer name]
Khoisan (koi´sän') •n. a group of S African languages including Hottentot, Bushman, etc.
Khomeini (kou mein´i:, kэ-), Ayatollah Ru·hol·la (Mussaui) (ru hou´lэ) 1900-89; fundamentalist religious leader of Iran (1979-89)
Khorana (kэ rän´э), Har Go·bind (här gou´bind') 1922- ; U.S. biochemist, born in India
khoums (ku:mz) pl. khoums •n. a monetary unit of Mauritania, equal to ¹/5 of an ouguiya [Ar khums, one-fifth]
Khowar (kou´wär') •n. an Indo-Iranian language of NW Pakistan
Khrushchev (kru:´shöf'), Ni·ki·ta Ser·gey·e·vich (ni ki:´tä syer gei´ye vich) 1894-1971: premier of the U.S.S.R. (1958-64)
Khufu (ku:´fu:') fl. c. 2650 B.C.; king of Egypt, of the IVth dynasty: builder of the largest of the Great Pyramids
Khyber Pass (kai´bэr) mountain pass in a range of the Hindu Kush, between Afghanistan & Pakistan: c. 33 mi. (55 km) long
kHz or khz kilohertz
Ki Bible Kings
KIA killed in action
kiang (ki: æŋ´) •n. a wild ass (Equus hemionus kiang) found in Tibet and Mongolia [< Tibetan rkyan]
Kiangsi (ji: äŋ´si:´) old form of JIANGXI
Kiangsu (-su:´) old form of JIANGSU
kibbe or kibbeh (kib´i:, -э) •n. a Near Eastern dish of finely ground lamb mixed with wheat and pine nuts and baked, or sometimes eaten raw [Ar kubba]
kibble (kib´эl) -bled, -bling •vt. to grind or form into coarse particles or bits •n. meal, prepared dog food, etc. in this form [< ?] kibbutz (ki bu:ts´, -buts´) pl. kib·but·zim (ki:'bu: tsi:m´) •n. an Israeli collective settlement, esp. a collective farm [ModHeb]
kibbutznik (-nik) •n. a member of a kibbutz [see -NIK]
kibe (kaib) •n. [Archaic] a chapped or ulcerated chilblain, esp. on the heel [ME, prob. < Welsh cibi]
kibei (ki:´bei´) pl. -bei´ •n.or -beis´ [also K-] a native U.S. citizen born of immigrant Japanese parents but educated largely in Japan: cf. ISSEI, NISEI [Jpn < SinoJpn ki, return + bei, America, U.S.A.]
kibitz (kib´its, kэ bits´) •vi. [Colloq.] to act as a kibitzer
kibitzer (-эr) •n. [Colloq.] 1 an onlooker at a card game, etc., esp. one who volunteers advice 2 a giver of unwanted advice or meddler in others' affairs [Yidd < colloq. Ger kiebitzen, to look on (at cards) < kiebitz, meddlesome onlooker, orig., plover, of echoic orig.]
kiblah (kib´lä') •n. the point, the Kaaba in Mecca, toward which Muslims turn when praying [Ar qibla, something placed opposite < qabala, to be opposite]
kibosh (kai´bäsh', ki bäsh´) •n. [Slang] a thing that stops (something else): now usually in put the kibosh on, to put an end to; squelch; veto [earlier also kyebosh < ? Ir cie bais, lit., cap of death: infl. in Eng by assoc. with BOSH¹]
kick pleat a double pleat with the outer edges folded toward each other, to allow expansion in a skirt, as at the bottom of a woman's skirt: cf. BOX PLEAT
kick¹ (kik) •vi. 1 to strike out with the foot or feet, as in anger, or in swimming, dancing, etc. 2 to spring back suddenly, as a gun when fired; recoil 3 [Colloq.] to object strongly; complain; grumble 4 Football to kick the ball •vt. 1 to strike or shove suddenly with the foot or feet 2 to drive or move (a ball, etc.) by striking with the foot 3 to make or force (one's way, etc.) by kicking 4 to score (a goal or point in football) by kicking Æ 5 [Slang] a) to stop taking (a narcotic drug) b) to get rid of (a habit) •n. 1 a blow with or thrust of the foot 2 a method of kicking 3 a sudden, sharp thrust or jolt, as the recoil of a gun when fired 4 a sudden burst of speed by a runner toward the end of a race Æ 5 [Colloq.] an objection; complaint Æ 6 [Colloq.] a stimulating or intoxicating effect, as of alcoholic liquor Æ 7 [often pl.] [Colloq.] pleasure; esp., pleasurable excitement 8 [Slang] pocket 9 Football a) the act of kicking the ball b) the kicked ball c) the distance that it travels d) one's turn at kicking Æ kick around (or about) [Colloq.] 1 to treat roughly 2 to move from place to place 3 to lie about unnoticed or forgotten 4 to think about or discuss informally kick ass [Slang] 1 to use power or authority, as to force others into achieving a goal or goals 2 to punish, treat roughly, etc. kick back Æ 1 [Colloq.] to recoil suddenly and in an unexpected way Æ 2 [Slang] to give back (a portion of money received as pay, commission, etc.), often as a result of coercion or a previous understanding kick down to shift to a lower gear Æ kick in [Slang] to pay (one's share) kick off 1 to put a football into play with a kickoff Æ 2 to start (a campaign, etc.) Æ 3 [Slang] to die 4 [Slang] to depart; leave kick on [Colloq.] to begin operating Æ kick oneself to blame oneself severely kick out 1 [Colloq.] to get rid of; expel; dismiss 2 Football to make a kick out of bounds kick over to start up, as an internal-combustion engine; turn over kick up 1 to raise by kicking 2 [Colloq.] to make or cause (trouble, confusion, etc.) kick upstairs [Colloq.] to promote to a higher level so as to be rid of on a lower, but more effective, level Æ on a kick [Slang] currently enthusiastic about a particular activity [ME kiken < ?]
kick² (kik) •n. an indentation at the bottom of a glass bottle, which reduces its capacity [prob. < prec.]
Kickapoo (kik´э pu:') •n. 1 pl. -poos' or -poo' a member of a North American Indian people who formerly lived in N Illinois and S Wisconsin and now live in Kansas, Oklahoma, and N Mexico 2 the Algonquian language of this people [< Kickapoo kiikaapoa < ?]
kickback (kik´bæk') •n. 1 [Colloq.] a sharp, violent reaction 2 [Slang] a) a giving back of part of money received as payment, commission, etc., often as a result of coercion or an understanding b) the money so returned
kickball (-böl') •n. Æ a children's game with the general rules of baseball, but using a large ball that is kicked rather than batted
kicker (-эr) •n. 1 one that kicks 2 [Colloq.] an outboard motor 3 [Slang] a) a surprise ending, ironic twist, etc. b) a hidden, unsuspected point or difficulty
kickoff (-öf') •n. Æ 1 Football a place kick that puts the ball into play at the beginning of each half or after a touchdown or field goal Æ 2 a beginning, as of a campaign or drive
kickshaw (kik´shö') •n. 1 a fancy food or dish; delicacy; tidbit 2 a trinket; trifle; gewgaw [earlier kickshaws, altered (by folk etym.) < Fr quelque chose, something]
kickstand (kik´stænd') •n. a short metal bar attached by a pivot to the frame of a bicycle or motorcycle: it holds the stationary cycle upright when kicked down into a vertical position
kickup (kik´ûp') •n. [Colloq.] a fuss; row
kicky (kik´i:) kick´i·er, kick´i·est •adj. [Slang] 1 fashionable; stylish 2 stimulating; exciting
kid (kid) •n. 1 a young goat or, occasionally, antelope 2 its flesh, used as a food 3 leather made from the skin of young goats, used for gloves, shoes, etc. 4 [pl.] gloves or shoes made of this leather 5 [Colloq.] a child or young person •adj. 1 made of kidskin Æ 2 [Colloq.] younger {my kid sister} •vt., vi. kid´ded, kid´ding 1 to give birth to (a kid or kids): said of goats or antelopes 2 [Colloq.] a) to deceive or fool in a playful way b) to tease or ridicule playfully kid around to engage in joking, horseplay, etc. no kidding! [Colloq.] I can hardly believe it!: an exclamation of doubt or surprise kid´der •n. kid´like' or kid´dish •adj. [ME kide, prob. < Anglo-N, akin to ON kith, Dan & Swed kid, Ger kitze]
kid gloves soft, smooth gloves made of kidskin Æ handle with kid gloves [Colloq.] to treat with care, tact, etc.
Kidd (kid), Captain (William) c. 1645-1701; Brit. privateer & pirate, born in Scotland: hanged
Kidderminster (kid´эr min'stэr) •n. a kind of ingrain or reversible carpet, orig. made at Kidderminster, England
kiddie or kiddy (kid´i:) pl. -dies •n. [Colloq.] a child [dim. of KID, n. 5]
kiddush (kid´ush, ki du:sh´) •n. Judaism a benediction recited over wine or bread on the eve of the Sabbath or a festival [TalmudHeb kidush, sanctification < root kdš: see KADDISH]
kidnap (kid´næp') -napped' or -naped', -nap'ping or -nap'ing •vt. 1 to steal (a child) 2 to seize and hold or carry off (a person) against that person's will, by force or fraud, often for ransom kid´nap'per or kid´nap'er •n. [KID, n. 5 + dial. nap: see NAB]
kidney (kid´ni:) pl. -neys •n. 1 either of a pair of glandular organs in the upper abdominal cavity of vertebrates, which separate water and waste products of metabolism from the blood and excrete them as urine through the bladder 2 the kidney of an animal, used as food 3 a) disposition; temperance b) class; kind; sort [ME kidenei < ?]
kidney bean 1 the seed of the common garden bean, esp. the large, reddish seed of some varieties, eaten as a vegetable 2 the common garden bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris)
kidney stone a hard mineral deposit sometimes formed in the kidney from phosphates, urates, etc.; renal calculus
Kidron (ki:´drэn, kai´-, ki´-) 1 valley in Jordan, east of Jerusalem 2 brook in this valley, flowing to the Dead Sea
kidskin (kid´skin') •n. leather from the skin of young goats, used for gloves, shoes, etc.
Kiel (ki:l) seaport in N Germany, on the Kiel Canal: capital of the state of Schleswig-Holstein: pop. 247,000
Kiel Canal canal in N Germany, connecting the North Sea & the Baltic Sea: 61 mi. (98 km)
kielbasa (ki:l bä´sэ, kil-; kэ bä´-) pl. -si (-si:) •n.or -sas a type of smoked Polish sausage, flavored with garlic, etc. [Pol]
Kielce (kyel´sэ) city in S Poland: pop. 197,000
kier (kir) •n. a large vat to hold cloth for bleaching, boiling, etc. [prob. < ON ker, tub, akin to MLowG kar, Goth kas, tub, keg]
Kierkegaard (kir´kэ gärd', -gör'), Sø·ren (Aabye) (sö´řэn) 1813-55; Dan. philosopher & theologian
kieselguhr or kieselgur (ki:´zэl gur') •n. DIATOMITE [Ger < kiesel, flint + guhr, gur, earthy sediment < gären, to ferment]
kieserite (ki:´zэr ait') •n. hydrous magnesium sulfate, MgSO4·H2O [Ger kieserit, after D. G. Kieser (1779-1862), Ger scientist]
Kiev (ki:´ef', -ev') capital of Ukraine, on the Dnepr: pop. 2,448,000 Ki·ev´an (-эn) •n., adj.
kif or kief (kif, ki:f) •n. var. of KEF
Kigali (kэ gä´li:) capital of Rwanda: pop. 157,000
kike (kaik) •n. [Slang] a Jew: a vulgar term of hostility and contempt [orig. uncert.]
Kikongo (ki: käŋ´gou) •n. var. of KONGO
Kikuyu (ki: ku:´yu:) •n. 1 pl. -yus or -yu a member of an agricultural people of Kenya 2 the Bantu language of this people
Kilauea (ki:'lau ei´э) active volcanic crater on the slope of Mauna Loa, Hawaii: c. 8 mi. (13 km) in circumference [< Haw, lit., spewing]
Kildare (kil der´) county in Leinster province, E Ireland: 654 sq. mi. (1,694 sq. km); pop. 104,000
kilderkin (kil´dэr kin) •n. 1 a cask 2 an English unit of liquid measure of about 18 imperial gallons [ME kylderkin, altered < MDu kinderkin, quarter tun, dim. < kintal < ML quintale: see QUINTAL]
kilim (ki li:m´) •n. [sometimes K-] a patterned, reversible wool rug in a flat weave, produced in Turkey, other parts of the Middle East, and some parts of eastern Europe Also kilim rug
Kilimanjaro (kil'э män jär´ou) mountain in NE Tanzania: highest mountain in Africa: 19,340 ft. (5,895 m)
Kilkenny (kil ken´i:) county in Leinster province, E Ireland: 796 sq. mi. (2,061 sq. km); pop. 70,000
kill fee a fee paid to a freelance writer for material written on assignment but not used
kill¹ (kil) •vt. 1 to cause the death of; make die 2 a) to destroy the vital or active qualities of b) to destroy; put an end to; ruin 3 to prevent the passage of (legislation); defeat or veto 4 to spend (time) on matters of little or no importance Æ 5 a) to cause (an engine, etc.) to stop; turn off b) to turn off (a light, esp. a theater spotlight) c) to muffle (sound) Æ 6 to prevent publication of {to kill a newspaper story} 7 to spoil the effect of; destroy by contrast: said of colors, etc. 8 [Colloq.] to overcome with laughter, chagrin, pleasure, surprise, etc. 9 [Colloq.] to cause to feel great pain or discomfort 10 [Colloq.] to tire out; exhaust Æ 11 [Slang] to drink the last, or all, of (a bottle of liquor, etc.); finish off Æ 12 Printing to mark as not to be used; score out; cancel 13 Tennis, etc. to return (the ball) with such force that it cannot be played back; smash •vi. 1 to destroy life 2 to be killed {plants that kill easily} •n. 1 an act or instance of killing 2 an animal or animals killed 3 an enemy plane, ship, etc. destroyed in at the kill 1 present when the hunted animal is killed 2 present at the end or climax of some action to kill [Colloq.] to make a strongly desirable impression {dressed to kill} SYN.—kill is the general word in this list, meaning to cause the death of in any way, and may be applied to persons, animals, or plants; slay, now largely a literary word, implies deliberate and violent killing; murder applies to an unlawful and malicious or premeditated killing; assassinate implies specifically the sudden killing of a politically important person, often by someone hired or delegated to do this; execute denotes a killing in accordance with a legally imposed sentence; dispatch suggests a killing by direct action, such as shooting, and emphasizes speed or promptness [ME kullen, killen < ? OE *cyllan, special late phonetic development of cwellan, to kill: see QUELL]
kill² (kil) •n. a stream; channel; creek: used esp. in place names [Du kil < MDu kille, akin to ON kīll, inlet]
Killarney (ki lär´ni:) 1 town in central Kerry county, SW Ireland: pop. 7,000 2 Lakes of three lakes near this town
killdeer (kil´dir') pl. -deers' or -deer' a medium-sized North American plover (Charadrius vociferus) with a high, piercing cry, that nests in open fields, on beaches, etc.: it fakes injury by fluttering along the ground to lure a predator away from its nest: also kill·dee (kil´di:') •n. [echoic of its cry]
Killeen (ki li:n´) city in central Tex., north of Austin: pop. 64,000 [after F. P. Killeen, official of the Santa Fe Railroad & early settler]
killer (kil´эr) •n. 1 a person, animal, or thing that kills, esp. one that kills habitually or wantonly 2 KILLER WHALE 3 [Slang] something devastating, difficult, hard to cope with, etc. 4 [Slang] an extremely successful, impressive, exciting, etc. person or thing
killer satellite an orbiting satellite that can be maneuvered to approach a target satellite and destroy it by exploding
killer whale a very large, mostly black dolphin (Orcinus orca) that hunts in large packs and preys on large fish, seals, and whales
killick (kil´ik) •n. a small anchor; often, an anchor weighted with a stone, or a stone used as an anchor Also kil´lock (-эk) [New England dial.]
Killiecrankie (kil'i: kræŋ´ki:) mountain pass in the Grampians, Tayside, Scotland: c. 1.5 mi. (2.5 km) long
killifish (kil´i fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' or -fish'es any of a family (Cyprinodontidae, order Atheriniformes) of small, freshwater bony fishes used in mosquito control and as bait Also kil´lie (-i:), pl. -lies •n. [killie, killifish (< KILL² + -IE) + FISH]
killing (kil´iŋ) •adj. 1 causing, or able to cause, death; destructive; deadly 2 exhausting; fatiguing 3 [Colloq.] very funny or comical •n. 1 slaughter; murder Æ 2 [Colloq.] a sudden, great profit or success kill´ing·ly •adv.
killjoy (kil´joi') •n. a person who destroys or lessens other people's enjoyment Also kill´-joy'
Kilmarnock (kil mär´nэk) city in Strathclyde, SC Scotland: pop. 46,000
Kilmer (kil´mэr), (Alfred) Joyce 1886-1918; U.S. poet
kiln (kil, kiln) •n. a furnace or oven for drying, burning, or baking something, as bricks, grain, or pottery •vt. to dry, burn, or bake in a kiln [ME kylne < OE cylne < L culina, cookstove, kitchen]
kiln-dry (-drai') -dried', -dry'ing •vt. to dry in a kiln
kilo (ki:´lou, kil´ou) pl. -los •n. 1 KILOGRAM 2 KILOMETER [Fr: abbreviated form]
kilo- (kil´ou, -э) combining form one thousand; the factor 10³ {kilogram} [Fr < Gr chilioi, thousand < IE base *Ghéslo-, thousand]
kilobar (kil´ou bär', kil´э-) •n. a metric unit of pressure equal to one thousand bars: abbrev. kb
kilobyte (-bait') •n. 1 a unit of storage capacity in a computer system, equal to 1,024 (2¹0) bytes 2 loosely, one thousand bytes Abbrev. KB
kilocalorie (kil´ou kæl'э ri:, kil´э-) •n. CALORIE (sense 2)
kilocycle (-sai'kэl) •n. old term for KILOHERTZ
kilogram (-græm') •n. a metric unit of weight equal to 1,000 grams (2.2046 lb.): abbrev. kg [Fr kilogramme: see KILO- & GRAM¹]
kilogram-meter (-græm'mi:t'эr) •n. a unit of energy or work, being the amount needed to raise one kilogram one meter: it is equal to 7.2334 foot-pounds: also [Chiefly Brit.] kil´o·gram'-me´tre
kilohertz (-herts', -hørts') pl. -hertz' •n. one thousand hertz: abbrev. kHz
kiloliter (-li:t'эr) •n. a metric unit of capacity equal to 1,000 liters, or one cubic meter (264 gallons or 1.3 cubic yards) Abbrev. kl Brit. sp. kil´o·li'tre [Fr kilolitre: see KILO- & LITER]
kilometer (kil´э mi:t'эr; widely kэ läm´эt эr) •n. a metric unit of linear measure equal to 1,000 meters (3,280.8 ft. or about 5/8 mi.) Abbrev. km Brit. sp. kil·o·me·tre kil·o·met·ric (kil'э me´trik) •adj. [Fr kilomètre: see KILO- & METER¹]
kiloparsec (kil´ou pär'sek', kil´э-) •n. one thousand parsecs; 3,260 light-years: abbrev. kpc
kiloton (-tûn') •n. the explosive force of 1,000 tons of TNT: a unit for measuring the power of thermonuclear weapons: abbrev. kt
kilovolt (-voult') •n. one thousand volts: abbrev. kV or kv
kilovolt-ampere (-æm´pir') •n. one thousand volt-amperes: abbrev. kva
kilowatt (kil´ou wät', kil´э-) •n. a unit of electrical power, equal to 1,000 watts: abbrev. kW or kw
kilowatt-hour (-aur) •n. a unit of electrical energy or work, equal to the power supplied by one kilowatt for one hour: abbrev. kWh, kwh, kWhr, or kwhr
kilt (kilt) •vt. 1 [Scot.] to tuck up (a skirt, etc.) 2 to pleat 3 to provide a kilt for •n. a pleated skirt reaching to the knees; esp., the tartan skirt worn sometimes by men of the Scottish Highlands [ME (northern) kilten, prob. < Scand, as in ON kilting, a skirt, kjalta, lap]
kilter (kil´tэr) •n. [Colloq.] good condition; proper order: now chiefly in out of kilter [< ?]
Kimberley (kim´bэr li:) city in N Cape Province, South Africa: diamond-mining center: pop. 144,000
kimberlite (kim´bэr lait') •n. a kind of peridotite which sometimes contains diamonds [< prec. + -LITE]
Kimberly (kim´bэr li:) a feminine name: dim. Kim, Kimmy
kimchi (kim´chi:) •n. a spicy Korean dish consisting of pickled cabbage, peppers, garlic, etc. [Korean]
kimono (kэ mou´nэ; also, -nou') pl. -nos •n. 1 a robe with wide sleeves and a sash, part of the traditional costume of Japanese men and women 2 a woman's loose dressing gown [Jpn ki (< kiru, to wear) + mono, thing]
Kin Bible Kings kin (kin) •n. relatives; family; kinfolk; kindred •adj. related, as by blood; kindred of kin related [ME kyn < OE cynn, akin to Du kunne, Goth kuni, ON kyn < Gmc *kunja- < IE base *Gen-, to produce: see GENUS]
-kin (kin) suffix forming nouns little (specified person or thing) {lambkin} [ME < MDu -ken, -kijn, dim. suffix, akin to Ger -chen]
kina (ki:´nэ) •n. the basic monetary unit of Papua New Guinea: see MONEY, table [Papuan, a crescent-shaped piece of shell money]
Kinabalu (kin'э bэ lu:´) mountain in NW Sabah: highest peak on Borneo: 13,455 ft. (4,100 m)
kinaesthesia (kin'es θi:´zhэ) alt. sp. of KINESTHESIA Also kin'aes·the´sis (-sis) •n. kin'aes·thet´ic (-θet´ik) •adj.
kinase (kai´neis', kin´eis') •n. an enzyme capable of activating a zymogen or one causing the transfer of the terminal phosphate group, generally from ATP, to a receiving molecule [KIN(ETIC) + -ASE]
Kincardine (kin kär´din) former county of E Scotland, now in the region of Grampian: also Kin·car´dine·shire' (-shir', -shэr)
kind (kaind) •n. 1 [Archaic] a) origin b) nature c) manner; way 2 a natural group or division [the rodent kind]: sometimes used in compounds [humankind] 3 essential character 4 sort; variety; class •adj. [ME kynde < OE gecynde] 1 sympathetic, friendly, gentle, tenderhearted, generous, etc. 2 cordial {kind regards} 3 [Archaic] loving; affectionate 4 [Obs.] natural; native after one's (or its) kind [Archaic] in agreement with one's (or its) nature all kinds of [Colloq.] many or much {all kinds of money} in kind 1 in goods or produce instead of money 2 with something like that received; in the same way kind of [Colloq.] somewhat; rather; almost of a kind 1 of the same kind; alike 2 of poor quality; mediocre {entertainment of a kind} SYN.—kind implies the possession of sympathetic or generous qualities, either habitually or specifically, or is applied to actions manifesting these [he is kind only to his mother, your kind remarks]; kindly usually implies a characteristic nature or general disposition marked by such qualities [his kindly old uncle]; benign suggests a mild or kindly nature and is applied especially to a gracious superior [a benign employer]; benevolent implies a charitable or altruistic inclination to do good [his benevolent interest in orphans] —ANT. unkind, unfeeling, cruel [ME kynd < OE cynd, akin to Ger kind, child, ON kundr, son < IE *Gnti- (> L natio, NATION) < base *Gen-: see GENUS]
kindergarten (kin´dэr gärt'ªn) •n. a school or class for young children, usually four to six years old, that prepares them for first grade and that develops basic skills and social behavior by games, exercises, music, simple handicrafts, etc. kin´der·gart'ner or kin´der·gar'ten·er (-gärt'nэr) •n. [Ger, lit., children's garden, coined (1840) by Friedrich (Wilhelm August) FROEBEL < kinder, gen. pl. of kind, child (see KIND) + garten, GARDEN]
kindhearted (kaind´härt'id) •adj. having or resulting from a kind heart; sympathetic; kindly kind´heart'ed·ly •adv. kind´heart'ed·ness •n.
kindle¹ (kin´dэl) -dled, -dling •vt. 1 to set on fire; ignite 2 to light (a fire) 3 to arouse or excite (interest, feelings, etc.) 4 to cause to light up; make bright •vi. 1 to catch fire; start burning 2 to become aroused or excited 3 to light up; become bright {eyes kindling with joy} kin´dler •n. [ME kindlen, freq. < ON kynda, to set on fire, akin to MHG künten]
kindle² (kin´dэl) -dled, -dling •vt., vi. [Dial.] to give birth to (young) [ME kindlen: see KIND, n.]
kindless (kaind´lis) •adj. 1 [Rare] lacking kindness 2 [Obs.] lacking natural feeling; unnatural
kindling (kind´liŋ) •n. 1 bits of dry wood or other easily lighted material for starting a fire 2 the act of one who kindles [ME: see KINDLE¹]
kindly (kaind´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 kind; gracious; benign 2 agreeable; pleasant {a kindly climate} 3 [Archaic] natural; native; innate •adv. 1 in a kind, gracious manner 2 agreeably; favorably 3 as a courtesy; please {kindly shut the door}: see note at PLEASE 4 [Obs.] naturally: now only in take kindly to, a) to be naturally attracted to b) to accept willingly SYN. KIND thank kindly to thank heartily kind´li·ness •n. [ME cyndelich < OE (ge)cyndelic, natural < cynd(e): see KIND]
kindness (-nis) •n. 1 the state, quality, or habit of being kind 2 a kind act or kindly treatment 3 [Archaic] kind feeling; affection; good will [ME kyndeness]
kindred (kin´drid) •n. 1 [Archaic] kinship 2 relatives or family; kin; kinfolk •adj. 1 [Archaic] related by birth or common origin 2 of like nature; similar {kindred spirits} SYN. RELATED [with intrusive -d- < ME kinreden < OE cynn, KIN + ræden, state, condition, akin to rædan, READ¹]
kine (kain) •n.pl. [Archaic] cows; cattle [ME kin, double pl. of cou (< OE cy, pl. of cu, COW¹) + (-e)n]
kinematics (kin'э mæt´iks) •n.pl. the branch of mechanics that deals with motion in the abstract, without reference to the force or mass kin'e·mat´ic or kin'e·mat´i·cal •adj. [Fr cinématique < Gr kinēma (gen. kinēmatos), motion < kinein, to move (see CITE) + -ICS]
kinescope (kin´э skoup') •n. 1 PICTURE TUBE 2 a film recording of a television program [KINE(TO)- + -SCOPE]
kinesics (ki ni:´siks, kai-; -ziks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of bodily movements, facial expressions, etc. as ways of communication or as accompaniments to speech ki·ne´sic •adj. [< Gr kinēsis (see KINESIOLOGY) + -ICS]
kinesiology (ki ni:'si: äl´э ji:, kai-; -zi:-) •n. the science or study of human muscular movements, esp. as applied in physical education [< Gr kinēsis, motion < kinein, to move (see CITE) + -LOGY]
kinesthesia (kin'is θi:´zhэ, -zhi: э) •n. the sensation of position, movement, tension, etc. of parts of the body, perceived through nerve-end organs in muscles, tendons, and joints Also kin'es·the´sis (-sis) kin'es·thet´ic (-θet´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr kinein, to move (see CITE) + aisthēsis, perception: for IE base see AESTHETIC]
kinetic (ki net´ik) •adj. 1 of or resulting from motion 2 energetic or dynamic [Gr kinētikos < kinētos, movable < kinein, to move: see CITE]
kinetic art an art style, esp. in sculpture or assemblage, involving the use of moving, often motorized, parts, shifting lights, sounds, etc.
kinetic energy the energy of a body that results from its motion
kinetic theory the theory that the minute particles of all matter are in constant motion and that the temperature of a substance is dependent on the velocity of this motion, increased motion being accompanied by increased temperature: according to the kinetic theory of gases, the elasticity, diffusion, pressure, and other physical properties of a gas are due to the rapid motion in straight lines of its molecules, to their impacts against each other and the walls of the container, to weak cohesive forces between molecules, etc.
kinetics (-iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] DYNAMICS (sense 1) [< KINETIC]
kinetin (kai´nэ tin) •n. a substance, C10H9N5O, found in many plants, that regulates growth by inducing cell division and cell differentiation [KINET(IC) + -IN¹]
kineto- (ki net´ou, -ni:t´-; -э) combining form moving, motion {kinetoplast} [< Gr kinētos: see KINETIC]
kinetochore (ki net´ou kör') •n. CENTROMERE
kinetoplast (ki net´ou plæst', -ni:t´-) •n. a cytoplasmic structure lying at the base of the flagellum in many flagellated protists [KINETO- + -PLAST]
kinfolk (kin´fouk') •n.pl. family; relatives; kin; kindred Also kin´folks'
King (kiŋ) 1 Martin Luther, Jr. 1929-68; U.S. clergyman & leader in the black civil rights movement: assassinated 2 (William Lyon) Mackenzie 1874-1950; Cdn. statesman: prime minister (1921-26; 1926-30; 1935-48) king (kiŋ) •n. 1 a male ruler of a nation or state usually called a kingdom; male sovereign, limited or absolute; monarch 2 a) a man who is supreme or highly successful in some field {an oil king} b) something supreme in its class 3 a playing card with a conventionalized picture of a king on it 4 Checkers a piece that has been crowned and can thus move backward as well as forward 5 Chess the chief piece, which can move one square in any direction: see CHECKMATE •adj. chief (in size, importance, etc.): often in combination •vt. CROWN (vt. 8) [ME < OE cyning, akin to ON konungr, OHG kuning < Gmc *kuningaz < *kunja-, KIN + -ing-, belonging to: prob. basic sense, either head of a kin or son of noble kin]
King Charles spaniel a variety of English toy spaniel with a black-and-tan coat: made fashionable by Charles II of England
King Charles's head a fixed idea; personal obsession
king cobra a large, very poisonous snake (Orthiophagus hannah) native to SE Asia and the Philippines; hamadryad
king crab 1 a very large, edible spider crab (Paralithodes camtschatica) of the N Pacific 2 HORSESHOE CRAB
King James Version AUTHORIZED VERSION
King Lear (lir) 1 a tragedy by Shakespeare (c. 1606) 2 its main character, whose division of his kingdom between his older daughters, Goneril and Regan, and disinheritance of his youngest, Cordelia, lead to civil strife and his own insanity and death
king of beasts name for a lion
king post Carpentry a vertical supporting post between the apex of a triangular truss and the base, or tie beam, as at the ridge of a roof: cf. QUEEN POST: see FRAME, illus.
king salmon CHINOOK SALMON
kingbird (kiŋ´børd') •n. Æ any of several tyrant flycatchers (genus Tyrannus); esp., the Eastern kingbird (T. tyrannus), known as the bee martin because it supposedly eats bees
kingbolt (-boult') •n. any main bolt; esp., one that acts as a vertical pivot for a turning vehicle, as that connecting the front axle of a wagon, etc., or the truck of a railroad car, with the body
kingcraft (-kræft') •n. the art of ruling as a monarch
kingcup (-kûp') •n. BUTTERCUP
kingdom (kiŋ´dэm) •n. 1 [Obs.] the position, rank, or power of a king 2 a government or country headed by a king or queen; monarchy 3 a realm; domain; sphere {the kingdom of poetry} 4 any of the three great divisions into which all natural objects have been classified (the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms) 5 the spiritual realm of God kingdom come the hereafter; heaven [< thy kingdom come, in the Lord's Prayer] [ME < OE cyningdom: see KING & -DOM]
kingfish (kiŋ´fish') •n. 1 pl. (see FISH) -fish' or -fish'es any of various large food fishes found along the Atlantic or Pacific coast, esp. certain drums Æ 2 [Colloq.] a person holding absolute power in some group, legislature, etc.
kingfisher (-fish'эr) •n. any of a family (Alcedinidae) of coraciiform birds, usually having bright coloration, a large, crested head, a large, strong beak, and a short tail: most species dive for fish [ME kyngys fyschare, lit., king's fisher]
kinglet (kiŋ´lit) •n. 1 a petty, unimportant king 2 any of several small Old World warblers (genus Regulus) with a bright-colored crown, as the golden-crowned kinglet (R. satrapa) of North America [see -LET]
kingly (-li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. of, like, or fit for a king or kings; royal; regal; noble king´li·ness •n. [ME]
kingmaker (-mei'kэr) •n. a politically powerful person who is instrumental in getting candidates into office
king-of-arms (-эv ärmz´) •n. in Great Britain, any of the chief officers who decide questions of heraldry
kingpin (-pin') •n. 1 a vertical pin attached to some axles to serve as the axis for a wheel spindle, so that the wheel may be turned for steering 2 the headpin or the center pin in bowling, tenpins, etc. Æ 3 [Colloq.] the main or essential person or thing
Kings (kiŋz) Bible 1 either of two books (1 Kings, 2 Kings) which give the history of the reigns of the Jewish kings after David 2 in the Douay Bible, any of four books called 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings in other versions
King's (or Queen's) Bench Eng. Law 1 [Historical] the supreme court of common law 2 one of the three divisions of the High Court of Justice [so called because the sovereign used to sit in court on a raised bench]
King's (or Queen's) Counsel a barrister appointed to be counsel of the British Crown
king's (or queen's) English standard or accepted (esp. British) English usage in speech or writing: so called from the notion of royal sanction: with the
king's (or queen's) evidence Eng. Law STATE'S EVIDENCE
king's blue COBALT BLUE
Kings Canyon National Park national park in EC Calif., in the Sierra Nevada Mountains: 709 sq. mi. (1,837 sq. km) [after Kings River, transl. shortening of Sp Río de los Santos Reyes, River of the Holy Kings]
king's evil [Obs.] SCROFULA [transl. of ML regius morbus: from the notion that a king's touch could cure it]
king's yellow ORPIMENT
kingship (kiŋ´ship') •n. 1 the position, rank, dignity, or dominion of a king 2 the rule of a king 3 [K-] majesty: a title sometimes used (with his) in referring to a king
king-size (-saiz') •adj. larger than the regular kind {a king-size bed is 76 by 80 in.} Also king´-sized'
kingsnake (-sneik') •n. any of several large, harmless colubrine snakes (genus Lampropeltis) found in Central and S North America Also king snake
Kingston (kiŋz´tэn, kiŋ´stэn) 1 seaport & capital of Jamaica, on the SE coast: pop. c. 117,000 2 port in SE Ontario, Canada, at the outlet of Lake Ontario into the St. Lawrence: pop. 86,000 [orig., King's Town (1784), in honor of George III]
Kingston upon Hull HULL (in England)
Kingston upon Thames borough of SW Greater London: pop. 134,000
kingwood (kiŋ´wud') •n. 1 a hard, fine-grained, violet-tinted wood from a Brazilian tree (Dalbergia cearensis) of the pea family 2 the tree
kinin (kai´nin) •n. a powerful, short-lived peptide that lowers blood pressure, increases vascular permeability, dilates blood vessels, causes smooth muscle to contract, and triggers pain [< KIN(ETIC) + -IN¹]
kink (kiŋk) •n. 1 a short twist, curl, or bend in a thread, rope, hair, wire, etc. 2 a painful muscle spasm or cramp in the neck, back, etc.; crick Æ 3 a) a mental twist; queer notion; whim; eccentricity b) a quirk; peculiarity 4 a difficulty or defect in a plan or process •vi., vt. to form or cause to form a kink or kinks [< Scand, as in Swed & Dan kink, akin to MLowG kinke, Du kink]
kinkajou (kiŋ´kэ ju:') •n. a nocturnal, tree-dwelling carnivore (Potos flavus) of Central and South America of the same family (Procyonidae) as the raccoon, with soft, yellowish-brown fur, large eyes, and a long prehensile tail [Fr, earlier quincajou, (properly, wolverine, misapplied by Comte de BUFFON) < a crossing of Ojibwa gwiinwaرaage & Montagnais kwaahkwaacheew: see CARCAJOU]
kinky (kiŋk´i:) kink´i·er, kink´i·est •adj. Æ 1 full of kinks; tightly curled {kinky hair} 2 [Slang] weird, bizarre, eccentric, peculiar, etc.; specif., sexually abnormal or perverse kink´i·ness •n.
kinnikinick or kinnikinic (kin'i ki nik´) •n. 1 a mixture, as of tobacco and dried sumac leaves, bark, etc., formerly smoked by certain American Indians and pioneers 2 any of the plants used for such a mixture [earlier killikinnick < Delaware dialect kðlðk˙ðní˙k˙an, lit., mixture]
kino (ki:´nou) •n. a dark-red or reddish-brown gum obtained from certain leguminous tropical plants (esp. Pterocarpus marsupium): used in varnishes, as an astringent in medicine, etc. [< WAfr (Mandingo) native name]
Kinross (kin rös´) former county of EC Scotland, now in the region of Tayside: also Kin·ross´-shire (-shir)
Kinsey (kin´zi:), Alfred Charles 1894-1956; U.S. zoologist: studied human sexual behavior in the U.S.
kinsfolk (kinz´fouk') •n.pl. early form of KINFOLK [< KIN + FOLK, after KINSMAN]
Kinshasa (ki:n shä´sä) capital of Zaire, on the Congo River, in the W part: pop. 2,444,000
kinship (kin´ship') •n. 1 family relationship 2 relationship; close connection [see KIN & -SHIP]
kinsman (kinz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a relative; esp., a male relative [ME kynnesman < kynnes-, gen. sing. of kyn (see KIN) + man]
kinswoman (-wum'эn) pl. -wom'en (-wim'эn) •n. a female relative
kiosk (ki:´äsk', ki: äsk´) •n. 1 in Turkey and Persia, a summerhouse or pavilion of open construction 2 a somewhat similar small structure open at one or more sides, used as a newsstand, bandstand, entrance to a subway, etc. [Fr kiosque < Turk köşk < Pers kūshk, palace]
Kioto (ki: out´ou) alt. sp. of KYOTO
Kiowa (kai´ou wä', -э wэ) •n. 1 pl. -was' or -wa' a member of a North American Indian people who formerly lived in Colorado, Oklahoma, and other Western states and now live in Oklahoma 2 the Tanoan language of this people [Sp Caygua < Kiowa k##ygú]
kip¹ (kip) •n. 1 the untanned hide of a calf, lamb, or other young or small animal 2 a set of such hides [earlier kyppe, prob. < MDu kip (in sense 2)]
kip² (kip) •n. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] 1 a rooming house 2 a bed 3 sleep •vi. kipped, kip´ping [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] to sleep [< or akin to Dan kippe, low alehouse]
kip³ (kip) pl. kips •n.or kip the basic monetary unit of Laos: see MONEY, table [Thai]
kip4 (kip) •n. a unit of weight equal to 1,000 pounds [KI(LO)- + P(OUND)¹]
Kipling (kip´liŋ), (Joseph) Rud·yard (rûd´yэrd) 1865-1936; Eng. writer, born in India
kipper (kip´эr) •vt. to cure (herring, salmon, etc.) by cleaning, salting, and drying or smoking •n. [ME kypre < OE cypera < ? coper, copper (from the color)] 1 a male salmon or sea trout during or shortly after the spawning season 2 a kippered herring, salmon, etc. [< ? the n.]
kir (kir) •n. [also K-] an aperitif made of dry white wine and a small amount of cassis
Kirchhoff (kiřH´hôf'), Gus·tav Ro·bert (gus´täf' řou´beřt') 1824-87; Ger. physicist
Kirchner (kirk´nэr, kiřH´nэř), Ernst Lud·wig 1880-1938: Ger. painter & sculptor
Kirghiz (kir gi:z´) •n. 1 pl. -ghiz´ or -ghiz´es a member of a people of Kyrgyzstan 2 the Turkic language of this people Also sp. Kir·giz´ [orig. uncert.]
Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic a republic of the U.S.S.R.: now KYRGYZSTAN
Kirghizia (kir gi:´zhэ, -zhi: э) KIRGHIZ SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC Kir·ghi´zi·an •adj., n.
Kiribati (kir'э bæs´) country consisting principally of three groups of atolls in the WC Pacific, east of the Solomon Islands: formerly a British territory, it became independent & a member of the Commonwealth (1979): 313 sq. mi. (811 sq. km); pop. 63,000; cap. Tarawa
Kirikkale (kэ rik´э lei') city in central Turkey; pop. 178,000
Kirin (ki:´rin´) old form of JILIN
Kiritimati (kэ ris´mэs) island in the central Pacific, in the country of Kiribati: 222 sq. mi. (575 sq. km); pop. 1,300
kirk (kørk; Scot kiřk) •n. [Scot. or North Eng.] a church the Kirk the Presbyterian Church of Scotland [Scot < ME kirke < OE cirice (infl. by ON kirkja): see CHURCH]
Kirkcaldy (kэr kö´di:, -köl´di:) seaport in E Scotland, on the Firth of Forth; pop. 51,000
Kirkcudbright (kэr ku:´bri:) former county of SW Scotland, now in the region of Dumfries and Galloway: also Kir·cud´bright·shire' (-shir', -shэr)
Kirlian photography (kir´li: эn) a method of capturing on a photographic plate an image of what is purported to be an aura of energy that emanates from animals and plants and that undergoes changes in accordance with physiological or emotional changes [after S. Kirlian, its Soviet developer (1939)]
kirmess (kør´mis) •n. var. of KERMIS
Kirov (ki:´röf') city in NC European Russia: pop. 411,000
Kirovabad (ki: rou´vэ bæd') old name of GYANDZHA
Kirovograd (-græd') city in SC Ukraine: pop. 263,000
kirschwasser (kirsh´väs'эr) •n. a colorless alcoholic drink distilled from the fermented juice of black cherries Often kirsch [Ger < kirsche, cherry, akin to OE cirse < Gmc *kirissa < L cerasus, CHERRY + wasser, WATER]
kirtle (kørt´ªl) •n. [Archaic] 1 a man's tunic or coat 2 a woman's dress or skirt [ME kirtel < OE cyrtel (akin to ON kyrtill) < Gmc *kurt-, short (< L curtus: see CURT) + -el, dim. suffix]
Kisangani (ki:'sän gä´ni:) city in NE Zaire, on the upper Congo River: pop. 340,000
Kish (kish) ancient Sumerian city on the Euphrates in what is now central Iraq: fl. c. 4000 B.C.
Kishinev (kish´э nev', -nef') capital of Moldova, in the central part: pop. 624,000
kishke (kish´kэ) •n. beef casing stuffed with matzo meal or bread crumbs, flour, onions, etc. and then steamed and roasted Also sp. kish´ka (-kэ) [Yidd E Yidd, shortened < gefilte kishke, lit., stuffed intestine < Russ kishka or Pol kiszka, intestine]
Kislev (kis´lef) •n. the third month of the Jewish year: see JEWISH CALENDAR [Heb]
kismet (kiz´met, kis´-) •n. fate; destiny [Turk kιsmet < Ar qisma(t), a portion, lot, fate < qasama, to divide]
kiss (kis) •vt. 1 to give a kiss to (a person or thing); touch or caress with the lips 2 to touch lightly or gently •vi. 1 to give a kiss to one another on the lips 2 to touch one another lightly, as billiard balls •n. [ME kisse < the v., replacing cosse < OE coss] 1 a touch or caress with the lips, often with some pressure and suction, as an act of affection, desire, greeting, etc. 2 a light, gentle touch or slight contact 3 a) any of various candies b) a baked confection of egg white and sugar kiss ass [Vulgar Slang] to be obsequious or fawning, as to gain an advantage or approval kiss goodbye 1 to kiss in taking leave Æ 2 [Colloq.] to give up all hope of getting, recovering, realizing, etc. kiss off [Slang] to dismiss rudely or contemptuously kiss´a·ble •adj. [ME kissen < OE cyssan, akin to Ger küssen < IE base *kus-, prob. echoic]
kiss of death an action or quality, often seemingly helpful, which is actually harmful or ruinous
kiss of life [Chiefly Brit.] mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
kiss of peace a sign of Christian peace, union, and mutual love, as a handshake or embrace, given at some point in a service, esp. in the Mass
kisser (-эr) •n. 1 a person who kisses 2 [Slang] a) the mouth or lips b) the face
kissing bug CONENOSE
kissing cousin [Colloq.] 1 a distant relative known well enough to greet with a friendly kiss 2 someone or something closely akin to another
Kissinger (kis´эn jэr), Henry Alfred 1923- ; U.S. secretary of state (1973-77), born in Germany
kiss-off (-öf') •n. [Slang] dismissal, esp. when rude or contemptuous
kissy (kis´i:) •adj. [Slang] 1 inclined to kiss; affectionately demonstrative 2 inviting kissing {kissy lips}
kissy-face (-feis') •n. [Slang] an engaging in kissing, caressing, etc. play kissy-face to engage in kissing, caressing, etc., esp. overtly or publicly
kist¹ (kist) •n. [Chiefly Scot. or North Eng.] a chest, box, or locker [ME kiste < ON kista, akin to Ger kiste < L cista: see CHEST]
kist² (kist) •n. CIST
Kistna (kist´nэ) old name of KRISHNA (river)
Kit (kit) 1 a masculine name: see CHRISTOPHER 2 a feminine name: see CATHERINE, KATHERINE
kit¹ (kit) •n. 1 [Brit. Dial.] a small wooden tub or bucket for holding fish, butter, etc. 2 a) personal equipment, esp. as packed for travel b) a set of tools or implements c) equipment for some particular activity, sport, etc. {a first-aid kit, a salesman's kit} d) a set containing a number of parts to be assembled {a model airplane kit} 3 a box, bag, or other container for carrying such parts, equipment, or tools 4 [Colloq.] lot; collection: now chiefly in Æ the whole kit and caboodle, everybody or everything [ME kyt < MDu kitte, container made of hooped staves]
kit² (kit) •n. KITTEN
kit³ (kit) •n. [Rare] a tiny fiddle used by 16th- through 18th-cent. dancing masters [Early ModE: abbrev. < ? CITHARA]
Kitakyushu (ki:´tæ kyu:´shu:) seaport on the N coast of Kyushu, Japan: pop. 1,052,000
kitchen (kich´эn) •n. 1 a room or place or the equipment for the preparation and cooking of food 2 a staff that cooks and serves food [ME kychene < OE cycene < VL cocina, cucina: see CUISINE]
kitchen cabinet 1 a cabinet or cupboard in a kitchen Æ 2 [often K- C-] a) the group of unofficial advisers on whom President Jackson relied b) any similar group on whom a governmental head relies
kitchen garden a garden in which vegetables and, sometimes, fruit are grown, usually for home use
kitchen midden a mound of shells, animal bones, and other accumulated refuse discarded by a prehistoric settlement, esp. from the Mesolithic period [transl. of Dan køkkenmødding: see MIDDEN]
kitchen police 1 soldiers detailed to assist the cooks in an army kitchen 2 this duty; KP
Kitchener (kich´э nэr), Horatio Herbert 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum 1850-1916; Brit. military officer & statesman, born in Ireland Kitchener (kich´э nэr) city in SE Ontario, Canada: pop. 150,000 [after prec.]
kitchenette or kitchenet (kich'эn et´) •n. a small, compact kitchen, as in some apartments
kitchenware (-wer') •n. utensils used in the kitchen; pots, pans, etc.
kite (kait) •n. 1 any of various accipitrine birds with long, pointed wings and, usually, a forked tail: they prey esp. on insects, reptiles, and small mammals 2 [Chiefly Brit.] a greedy, grasping person 3 a light frame, usually of wood, covered with paper, cloth, or plastic, to be flown in the wind at the end of a string 4 [pl.] the topmost sails of a ship, for use in a light breeze 5 a bad check or similar fictitious or worthless financial instrument used to raise money or maintain credit temporarily •vi. kit´ed, kit´ing 1 [Colloq.] a) to fly like a kite; soar b) to move lightly and rapidly 2 to get money or credit by using bad checks, etc. •vt. to issue (a bad check, etc.) as a kite Æ go fly a kite! go away and stop bothering! [ME < OE cyta, akin to MLowG kuten, to gossip < IE echoic base *gou-, to scream > Gr goan, to moan]
kith (kiθ) •n. friends, acquaintances, or neighbors: now only in kith and kin, friends, acquaintances, and relatives; also, often, relatives, or kin [ME < OE cyth, earlier cyththu < base of cuth, known: see UNCOUTH]
kithe (kaið) kithed, kith´ing •vt., vi. [Scot. or North Eng.] to make or become known [ME kithen < OE cythan, akin to cunnan, to know: see CAN¹]
Kitikmeot (ki tik´mi: ät') Region of central Northwest Territories, Canada: 243,899 sq. mi. (631,695 sq. km)
kitsch (kich) •n. art, writing, etc. of a pretentious but shallow kind, calculated to have popular appeal kitsch´y •adj. [Ger, gaudy trash < dial. kitschen, to smear]
kitten (kit´ªn) •n. a young cat: occasionally applied to the young of some other small animals •vi., vt. to give birth to (kittens) [ME kitoun < OFr chitoun, var. of chaton, dim. of chat, CAT]
kittenish (-ish) •adj. like a kitten; playful; frisky; often, playfully coy kit´ten·ish·ly •adv. kit´ten·ish·ness •n.
kittiwake (kit´i weik') pl. -wakes' •n.or -wake' any of a genus (Rissa) of small gulls of the northern oceans, that nest in cliffs and have a short or rudimentary hind toe [echoic of its cry]
kittle (kit´ªl) -tled, -tling •vt. [Scot.] 1 to tickle 2 to puzzle •adj. [Scot.] hard to deal with; ticklish; skittish [LME < kytylle < ON kitla, akin to Ger kitzeln, prob. echoic in orig.]
Kittredge (kit´rij), George Ly·man (lai´mэn) 1860-1941; U.S. Shakespearean scholar & educator
Kitty (kit´i:) a feminine name: see CATHERINE, KATHERINE
Kitty Hawk village on the Outer Banks of N.C., near where the first controlled & sustained airplane flight was made by Orville & Wilbur Wright in 1903 [< ? Algonquian language]
Kitty Litter trademark for LITTER (n. 4) [k- l-] LITTER (n. 4)
kitty¹ (kit´i:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a kitten 2 a pet name for a cat of any age
kitty² (kit´i:) pl. -ties •n. 1 in poker, a) the stakes or pot b) a pool formed from part of the winnings, to pay for refreshments, etc. 2 money pooled for some particular purpose 3 WIDOW (n. 2) [prob. < KIT¹]
kitty-cornered (kit´i: kör'nэrd) •adj., adv. CATER-CORNERED: also kit´ty-cor'ner
kiva (ki:´vэ) •n. in a Pueblo Indian dwelling, a large room used for religious and other purposes [Hopi]
Kivu (ki:´vu:'), Lake lake in EC Africa, on the border of E Zaire & Rwanda: c. 1,100 sq. mi. (2,849 sq. km)
Kiwanis (ki wä´nis) •n. an international service club of business and professional men Ki·wa´ni·an (-ni: эn) •adj., n. [< ? AmInd language]
kiwi (ki:´wi:) pl. -wis •n. 1 any of an order (Apterygiformes) of tailless New Zealand birds, with undeveloped wings, hairlike feathers, and a long, slender bill: it feeds chiefly on insects and worms 2 [also K-] the brown, hairy, egg-sized fruit, with a sweet, edible, green pulp, of a vine (Actinidia chinensis) of a family (Dilleniaceae, order Dilleniales) of dicotyledonous tropical trees, shrubs, and vines 3 [K-] [Colloq.] a New Zealander [Maori: echoic of its cry]
Kizil (ki zil´) river in NC Turkey, flowing into the Black Sea: c. 700 mi. (1,126 km): also Kizil Ir·mak (ir mäk´) or Ki·zil´ir·mak´
KJV King James Version (of the Bible)
KKK Ku Klux Klan
KKt Chess king's knight
kl kiloliter(s)
Klaipeda (klai´pi dэ) seaport in W Lithuania, on the Baltic: pop. 195,000
Klamath (klæm´эθ) river flowing from S Oreg. southwest across NW Calif., into the Pacific: c. 250 mi. (402 km) •n. 1 pl. -maths or -math a member of a North American Indian people living in S Oregon 2 the language of this people, of uncertain relationship [< ?]
Klan (klæn) short for KU KLUX KLAN •n. any chapter of the Ku Klux Klan Klans´man, pl. -men, •n.
klatch or klatsch (kläch, klæch) •n. [Colloq.] an informal gathering, as for conversation [Ger klatsch, gossip; of echoic orig.]
klavern (klæv´эrn) •n. a local branch of the Ku Klux Klan
Klaxon (klæks´эn) trademark for a kind of electric horn with a loud, shrill sound •n. [k-] such a horn [arbitrary coinage, based on Gr klaxein, to shout, scream < IE base *kel- > CLAMOR]
Klee (klei), Paul 1879-1940; Swiss abstract painter
Kleenex (kli:´neks') trademark for soft tissue paper used as a handkerchief, etc. •n. [occas. k-] a piece of such paper [arbitrary alteration < CLEAN + -ex, arbitrary suffix]
Klein (klain), Melanie 1882-1960; Brit. psychoanalyst, born in Austria
Kleist (klaist), (Bernd) Hein·rich Wil·helm von (hain´řiH vil´helm' fôn) 1777-1811; Ger. playwright
Klemperer (klem´pэr эr), Otto 1885-1973; Ger. conductor
klepht (kleft) •n. 1 a member of the Greek patriot bands who held out after the Turkish conquest of Greece 2 a brigand [ModGr klephtēs, robber < Gr kleptēs: see KLEPTOMANIA]
kleptomania (klep'tou mei´ni: э, -tэ-) •n. an abnormal, persistent impulse or tendency to steal, not prompted by need klep'to·ma´ni·ac' •n., adj. [ModL < Gr kleptēs, thief (< IE base *klep-, to hide, steal > L clepere, Goth hlifan, to steal) + -MANIA]
klezmer (klez´mэr) •n. 1 pl. klez'mo·rim´ (-mэ ri:m´) a) [Historical] an itinerant musician who performed at Jewish weddings and holiday celebrations in E Europe b) a musician who performs instrumental Jewish folk music derived from E European folk songs, Hebrew melodies, polkas, etc. 2 this instrumental Jewish folk music
klieg light (kli:g) a very bright, hot arc light used to light motion-picture sets: also sp. kleig [after its inventors, Anton Kliegl (1872-1927) and his brother John (1869-1959), U.S. lighting engineers]
Klimt (klimt), Gus·tav (gus´täf') 1862-1918; Austrian painter
Kline (klain), Franz 1910-62; U.S. painter
Kline test (klain) a modified form of the Kahn test for the diagnosis of syphilis [after B. S. Kline (1886-1968), U.S. pathologist]
Klinefelter's syndrome (klain´fel'tэrz) a congenital disorder of males, caused by the presence of an extra X chromosome and characterized by small testicles and sterility [after H. Klinefelter (1912- ), U.S. physician]
klipspringer (klip´spriŋ'эr) pl. -ers •n.or -er a small, agile mountain antelope (Oreotragus oreotragus) of S and E Africa [Afrik < Du klip, a rock, cliff + springer, springer]
Klondike (klän´daik') 1 river in W Yukon Territory, Canada, flowing west into the Yukon River: c. 100 mi. (160 km) 2 gold-mining region surrounding this river: site of a gold rush, 1898 [Athabaskan < ?]
kloof (klu:f) •n. in South Africa, a deep, narrow valley; gorge [Afrik < Du klooven, to cleave, akin to CLEAVE¹]
kludge or kluge (klu:j) •n. [Slang] a machine or system, esp. a computer, made up of, or improvised from, mismatched parts
klutz (klûts) •n. [Slang] 1 a clumsy, awkward person 2 a stupid or dull person klutz´i·ness •n. klutz´y •adj. [< Yidd klots, lit., wooden block, beam < MHG; akin to CLEAT, CLOD]
klystron (klais´trэn, klis´-; -trän') •n. an electron tube, used as an oscillator, amplifier, frequency multiplier, etc. in ultrahigh frequency circuits, that employs electric fields and resonant cavities to bunch electrons from a uniform stream and thus vary their velocities, and to transfer energy [< Gr klys- (see CLYSTER) + (ELEC)TRON]
km kilometer(s)
knack (næk) •n. 1 a) a trick; device b) a clever expedient or way of doing something 2 ability to do something easily; particular skill; dexterity 3 [Archaic] a knickknack; trinket; trifle SYN. TALENT [ME knak, sharp blow: see KNOCK]
knacker (næk´эr) •n. [Brit.] 1 a person who buys and slaughters worn-out horses and sells their flesh as dog's meat, etc. 2 a person who buys and wrecks old houses, etc. and sells their materials [Early ModE, harness maker < ON hnakker, saddle, neck, akin to OE hnecca, NECK]
knackered (næk´эrd) •adj. [Brit. Slang] very tired; exhausted
knackwurst (näk´wørst', -wurst') •n. a thick, highly seasoned sausage [Ger < knacken, to crack, burst (prob. ult. akin to IE base *gneuG-, > KNOCK) + wurst, sausage]
knap¹ (næp) knapped, knap´ping •vt., vi. [Brit. Dial.] 1 to knock, rap, or snap 2 to break or shape (stones or flints) by a quick, hard blow 3 to bite sharply; snap •n. [Brit. Dial.] a knock; rap [LME knappen, akin to Du, to snap, eat < IE *gnebh-: for base see KNEAD]
knap² (næp) •n. [Chiefly Dial.] 1 the top of a hill; summit 2 a hillock [ME < OE cnæp, top, knob, button, akin to ON knappr < IE *gnebh-: see KNAP1]
knapsack (næp´sæk') •n. a bag or case of leather, canvas, nylon, etc. worn on the back, as by soldiers or hikers, for carrying equipment or supplies [Du knapzak < knappen (see KNAP¹) + zak, a SACK¹]
knapweed (næp´wi:d') •n. any of several weedy plants (genus Centaurea) of the composite family; esp., a hardy perennial (C. nigra) with heads of rose-purple flowers [earlier knopweed: see KNOP & WEED¹]
knar (när) •n. a knot in wood; esp., a bark-covered bulge on a tree trunk or root knarred •adj. [ME knarre < or akin to LowG knarre, Du knar, a stump, knob, knot < IE *gner-: for base see KNEAD]
knave (neiv) •n. 1 [Archaic] a) a serving boy or male servant b) a man of humble birth or status 2 a dishonest, deceitful person; tricky rascal; rogue 3 JACK (n. 12a) [ME knaue < OE cnafa, boy, male child, akin to Ger knabe]
knavery (neiv´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 behavior or an act characteristic of a knave; rascality; dishonesty 2 [Obs.] roguishness; mischievous quality
knavish (-ish) •adj. like or characteristic of a knave; esp., dishonest; tricky knav´ish·ly •adv. knav´ish·ness •n.
knead (ni:d) •vt. 1 to mix and work (dough, clay, etc.) into a pliable mass by folding over, pressing, and squeezing, usually with the hands 2 to press, rub, or squeeze with the hands; massage 3 to make or form by or as if by kneading knead´er •n. [ME kneden < OE cnedan, akin to Ger kneten < IE *gnet-, to press together < base *gen-, to form into a ball, pinch, compress > KNOT¹, KNOB]
knee (ni:) •n. 1 a) the joint between the thigh and the lower part of the human leg b) the front part of the leg at this joint 2 a joint regarded as corresponding or similar to the human knee, as in the hind limb of a vertebrate, the carpal joint of the forelimb of a hoofed, four-footed animal, or the tarsal joint of a bird 3 anything resembling or suggesting a knee, esp. a bent knee; specif., a) a bent piece of wood used as a brace b) a protuberant, woody growth on certain trees 4 the part of a stocking, trouser leg, etc. that covers the knee •vt. kneed, knee´ing 1 to hit or touch with the knee 2 Carpentry to fasten with a KNEE (sense 3a) or knees bring to one's knees to force to submit or give in [ME kne < OE cneow, akin to Ger knie < IE base *Geneu- > Sans janu, Gr gony, gonia, L genu, a knee]
knee breeches BREECHES (sense 1)
knee jerk PATELLAR REFLEX
kneecap (-kæp') •n. 1 a movable bone at the front of the human knee; patella: see SKELETON, illus.: also knee´pan' (-pæn') 2 KNEEPAD •vt. -capped', -cap´ping to maim by shooting or drilling the kneecap, often as an act of terrorism
knee-deep (-di:p´) •adj. 1 sunk to the knees {standing knee-deep in water} 2 so deep as to reach to the knees, as water 3 very much involved or concerned
knee-high (-hai´) •adj. so high or tall as to reach to the knees
kneehole (-houl') •n. a space for the knees, as below a desk
knee-jerk (-jørk') •adj. [Colloq.] designating, characterized by, or reacting with an automatic, predictable response [< prec.]
kneel (ni:l) knelt or kneeled, kneel´ing •vi. to bend or rest on a knee or the knees kneel´er •n. [ME knelen < OE cneowlian < cneow, KNEE]
kneepad (ni:´pæd') •n. a pad worn to protect the knee, as by a basketball player
kneepiece (-pi:s') •n. a piece of armor to protect the knee: see ARMOR, illus.
knell (nel) •vi. 1 to ring in a slow, solemn way; toll 2 to sound ominously or mournfully •vt. to call or announce by or as by a knell •n. 1 the sound of a bell, esp. of a bell rung slowly, as at a funeral 2 an omen of death, failure, etc. [ME knyllen & (with echoic vowel change) knellen < OE cnyllan, akin to MHG (er)knellen: prob. echoic]
knelt (nelt) •vi. alt. pt. and pp. of KNEEL
Knesset (knes´et) •n. the unicameral legislature of Israel [ModHeb keneset, lit., assembly, gathering < kanas, to assemble]
knew (nu:, nyu:) •vt., vi. pt. of KNOW
Knickerbocker (nik´эr bäk'эr) •n. 1 a descendant of the early Dutch settlers of New York 2 any New Yorker 3 [k-] [pl.] short, loose trousers gathered in at or just below the knees, as those worn by Dutch settlers of New York; knickers [after Diedrich Knickerbocker, fictitious Du author of Washington Irving's History of New York (1809)]
knickers (nik´эrz) •n.pl. 1 knickerbockers: see KNICKERBOCKER (n. 3) 2 a) [Chiefly Brit.] a bloomerlike undergarment worn by women or girls b) [Brit.] panties [contr. < prec.]
knickknack (nik´næk') •n. a small ornamental article or contrivance; gimcrack; trinket [redupl. of KNACK]
knife (naif) pl. knives •n. 1 a cutting or stabbing instrument with a sharp blade, single-edged or double-edged, set in a handle 2 a cutting blade, as in a machine •vt. knifed, knif´ing 1 to cut or stab with a knife Æ 2 [Colloq.] to use underhanded methods in order to hurt, defeat, or betray Æ vi. to pass into or through something quickly, like a sharp knife Æ under the knife [Colloq.] undergoing surgery knife´like' •adj. [ME knif < OE cnif, akin to Ger kneif, ON knīfr < IE *gneibh- (> Lith gnaibis, a pinching): for base see KNEAD]
knife pleat one of a series of pleats that are sharply folded knife´-pleat´ed •adj.
knife switch an electrical switch in which the hinged, knifelike contact blade is pressed down between the contact clips
knife-edge (-ej') •n. 1 the edge of a knife 2 any very sharp edge 3 a metal wedge whose fine edge serves as the fulcrum for a scale beam, pendulum, etc.
knight (nait) •n. 1 in the Middle Ages, a) a military servant of the king or other feudal superior; tenant holding land on condition that he serve his superior as a mounted man-at-arms b) later, a man, usually one of high birth, who after serving as page and squire was formally raised to special military rank and pledged to chivalrous conduct 2 in Great Britain, a man who for some achievement is given honorary nonhereditary rank next below a baronet, entitling him to use Sir before his given name 3 an ancient Roman, Athenian, etc. whose status is regarded as equivalent to that of a knight 4 [usually K-] a member of any order or society that officially calls its members knights 5 [Old Poet.] a) a lady's devoted champion or attendant b) a devoted follower of some cause, person, etc. 6 Chess a piece usually shaped like a horse's head: it is moved one square, whether occupied or unoccupied, in any vertical or horizontal direction, and then one square farther diagonally •vt. to make (a man) a knight [ME kniht < OE cniht, boy, retainer, akin to Ger knecht, lad, servant < IE *gnegh-: for base see KNEAD]
knight bachelor pl. knights bachelors or knights bachelor a member of the oldest and lowest rank of British knights
Knight Templar 1 pl. Knights Templars a member of a military and religious order established among the Crusaders about 1118 2 pl. Knights Templar a member of a certain order of Masons
knight-errant (-er´эnt) pl. knights´-er´rant •n. 1 a medieval knight wandering in search of adventures, esp. ones which allow him to redress wrongs or show his prowess 2 a chivalrous or quixotic person
knight-errantry (-er´эn tri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the behavior or action of a knight-errant 2 quixotic behavior
knighthood (-hud') •n. 1 the rank or status of a knight 2 the profession or vocation of a knight 3 knightly conduct 4 knights collectively
knightly (-li:) •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, like, or befitting a knight; chivalrous, brave, etc. 2 consisting of knights •adv. [Archaic] in a knightly manner knight´li·ness •n.
Knights of Columbus a fraternal and benevolent society of Roman Catholic men, founded in 1882
Knights of Malta see HOSPITALER
Knights of Pythias a fraternal and benevolent society founded in 1864
knish (kэ nish´) •n. a piece of thin rolled dough folded over a filling, as of mashed potatoes, chopped meat, etc., and baked [E Yidd, variously < Pol knysz & Ukrainian knyš, etc.]
knit (nit) knit´ted or knit, knit´ting •vt. 1 to make (cloth or a piece of clothing) by looping yarn or thread together with special needles 2 to form into cloth in this way instead of by weaving 3 to join together closely and firmly; unite 4 to draw (the brows) together; contract in wrinkles 5 [Now Chiefly Dial.] to tie or fasten in or with a knot •vi. 1 to make cloth or a piece of clothing by looping together yarn or thread 2 to be joined together closely and firmly; grow together, as a broken bone 3 to become drawn together in wrinkles, as the brow •n. cloth or a garment made by knitting knit´ter •n. [ME knitten < OE cnyttan (akin to Ger knütten, to tie (fishing) nets) < base of cnotta, KNOT¹]
knitting (-iŋ) •n. 1 the action of a person or thing that knits 2 knitted work
knitting needle an eyeless, usually long, needle of metal, bone, plastic, etc., with a blunt point at one or both ends, used in pairs in knitting by hand
knitwear (-wer') •n. clothing made by knitting
knives (naivz) •n. pl. of KNIFE
knob (näb) •n. 1 a rounded lump or protuberance 2 a) a handle, usually round, of a door, drawer, etc. b) a similar device which is turned to control operations of electronic or electrical equipment, as a radio or TV receiver 3 a rounded hill or mountain; knoll knobbed •adj. [ME knobbe < or akin to Du, a knot, knob, bud < IE *gn-eu-bh < base *gen-: see KNEAD]
knobbly (näb´li:) -bli·er, -bli·est •adj. having or covered with lumps or knobs; knotty
knobby (näb´i:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. 1 covered with knobs 2 like a knob knob´bi·ness •n.
knobkerrie (-ker'i:) •n. a short club with a knobbed end, used by some South African tribes as a weapon [Afrik knopkirie < Du knobbe, KNOB + Hottentot kirri, a club]
knock (näk) •vi. 1 to strike a blow or blows with the fist or some hard object; esp., to rap on a door 2 to bump; collide; clash 3 to make a thumping, pounding, or rattling noise: said of an engine, etc. Æ 4 [Colloq.] to find fault; criticize adversely Æ 5 Gin Rummy to end a deal by exposing one's hand and showing a surplus of not more than ten points in unmatched cards •vt. 1 to hit; strike 2 to make by hitting or striking {to knock a hole in a wall} Æ 3 [Colloq.] to find fault with; criticize adversely •n. 1 the act of knocking 2 a hit; sharp or resounding blow; rap, as on a door 3 a thumping or rattling noise in an engine, etc., as because of faulty combustion Æ 4 [Colloq.] an adverse criticism 5 [Colloq.] a misfortune or trouble {the school of hard knocks} knock about (or around) [Colloq.] 1 to wander about; roam 2 to treat roughly knock back [Colloq.] to gulp down (an alcoholic drink) knock down 1 to hit so as to cause to fall Æ 2 to take apart for convenience in shipping 3 a) to sell at auction b) to indicate the sale of (an article) at an auction, as by a blow of the auctioneer's hammer 4 [Slang] to earn as pay Æ knock (or throw) for a loop [Slang] 1 to punch very hard 2 to defeat or overcome 3 to shock, amaze, confuse, etc. Æ knock it off! [Slang] stop doing that! specif., stop talking! knock off 1 to hit so as to cause to fall 2 [Colloq.] a) to stop working b) to leave off (work) 3 [Colloq.] to deduct 4 [Colloq.] to do; accomplish Æ 5 [Slang] to kill, overcome, etc. Æ 6 [Slang] to make a knockoff of Æ knock oneself out to make great efforts; exhaust oneself knock out 1 Boxing to defeat (an opponent) by knocking to the ground so that it is not possible to rise before an official count of ten 2 a) to make unconscious b) to make exhausted; tire out 3 to defeat, destroy, etc. 4 [Colloq.] to do; make; specif., to compose or write casually or with careless haste 5 [Slang] to overwhelm with excited delight; thrill Æ knock out of the box Baseball to make so many hits against (an opposing pitcher) as to cause the pitcher's removal [in allusion to the pitcher's box, the area formerly marked around the pitching rubber] knock over Æ [Slang] to rob knock together 1 to cause to collide 2 to make or compose hastily or crudely knock up 1 [Brit. Colloq.] a) to tire out; exhaust b) to wake (someone), as by knocking at the door Æ 2 [Slang] to make pregnant [ME knokken < OE cnocian, akin to ON knoka, MHG knochen, to press < echoic base > KNACK]
knockabout (-э baut') •n. Æ 1 a small, single-masted sailing vessel with a mainsail and jib, but no bowsprit 2 something suitable for knockabout use •adj. 1 rough; noisy; boisterous 2 made or suitable for knocking about or rough use
knockdown (-daun') •adj. 1 so severe as to knock down; overwhelming Æ 2 made so as to be easily taken apart {a knockdown table} •n. 1 a knocking down; felling 2 a blow, stroke, etc. that knocks one down
knocked down Æ not assembled: said of furniture, etc.
knocker (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that knocks; specif., a) a small metal ring, hammer, etc. attached by a hinge to a door, for use in knocking for admittance Æ b) [Colloq.] a faultfinder 2 [Slang] a breast: a somewhat vulgar term
knock-knee (-ni:') •n. 1 a condition in which the legs bend inward so that the knees knock together or touch each other in walking 2 [pl.] such knees knock´-kneed' •adj.
knockoff (-öf') •n. [Slang] a copy or imitation; esp., an inexpensive copy, as of a fashionable clothing design: also knock´-off'
knockout (-aut') •adj. that knocks out: said of a blow, etc. •n. 1 a knocking out or being knocked out 2 a) a blow that knocks out b) Boxing a victory won when the opponent is knocked out (cf. TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT) Æ 3 [Slang] a very attractive or striking person or thing
knockout drops [Slang] a drug put into a drink to cause the drinker to become stupefied or unconscious
knockwurst (näk´wørst', -wurst') •n. alt. sp. of KNACKWURST
knoll¹ (noul) •n. a hillock; mound [ME < OE cnoll, akin to Ger knollen, lump, clod: for IE base see KNOT¹]
knoll² (noul) •vi., vt., n. archaic or dial. var. of KNELL
knop (näp) •n. a knob; esp., a knoblike ornament [ME knoppe; prob. < ON knappr or MDu cnoppe; akin to KNOB]
Knossos (näs´эs) alt. sp. of CNOSSUS
knot¹ (nät) •n. 1 a lump or knob in a thread, cord, etc., formed by passing one free end through a loop and drawing it tight, or by a tangle drawn tight 2 a fastening made by intertwining or tying together pieces of string, cord, rope, etc. 3 an ornamental bow of ribbon or twist of braid; cockade; epaulet 4 a small group or cluster 5 something that ties or fastens closely or intricately; bond of union; esp., the bond of marriage 6 a problem; difficulty; entanglement 7 a knotlike part; node or lump [a knot in a tense muscle]; specif., a) a hard lump on a tree where a branch grows out b) a cross section of such a lump, appearing as cross-grained in a board or log c) a joint on a plant stem where two leaves grow out d) any of several fungal diseases of trees, in which abnormal protuberances appear 8 Naut. a) [Historical] any of the knots tied at regular intervals in a line used in measuring a ship's speed b) a unit of speed of one nautical mile (6,076.12 feet) an hour {to average a speed of 10 knots} c) loosely, NAUTICAL MILE •vt. knot´ted, knot´ting 1 to tie, fasten, or intertwine in or with a knot or knots; make a knot or knots in 2 to tie or unite closely or intricately; entangle 3 to make (fringe) by tying knots •vi. 1 to form a knot or knots; become entangled 2 to make knots for fringe tie the knot [Colloq.] to get married [ME knotte < OE cnotta, akin to Du knot, Swed knut, Ger knoten < IE *gn-eu-t < base *gen-, to press together > KNOB, KNEAD]
knot² (nät) •n. any of various sandpipers (genus Calidris); esp., a large, migratory species (C. canutus) that breeds in arctic regions [rare ME knotte < ?]
knotgrass (nät´græs') •n. 1 any of several weedy plants (genus Polygonum) of the buckwheat family; esp., a common weed (P. aviculare) with slender stems, narrow leaves, and small axillary flowers Æ 2 a creeping grass (Paspalum distichum) growing in wet places in the S U.S. Also knot´weed' (-wi:d')
knothole (-houl') •n. a hole in a board, etc. where a knot has fallen out
knotted (-id) •adj. 1 tied or fastened in or with a knot or knots 2 having or full of knots 3 tangled; intricate 4 puzzling; knotty
knotter (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that ties knots 2 a remover of knots
knotting (-iŋ) •n. fringe made of knotted threads
knotty (-i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 having or full of knots {a knotty board} 2 hard to solve or explain; puzzling {a knotty problem} knot´ti·ness •n. [ME]
knotty pine pine wood cut and finished to emphasize the decorative quality of the knots, used for some interior finishing and furniture
knout (naut) •n. a leather whip formerly used in Russia to flog criminals •vt. to flog with a knout [Russ knut < Swed, a KNOT¹]
know (nou) knew, known, know´ing •vt. 1 to have a clear perception or understanding of; be sure of or well informed about {to know the facts} 2 to be aware or cognizant of; have perceived or learned {to know that one is loved} 3 to have a firm mental grasp of; have securely in the memory {to know the multiplication tables} 4 a) to be acquainted or familiar with {I knew him well} b) to experience {she has known both pleasure and pain} 5 to have understanding of or skill in as a result of study or experience {to know music} 6 to recognize {I'd know that face anywhere} 7 to recognize as distinct; distinguish {to know right from wrong} 8 [Archaic] to have sexual intercourse with •vi. 1 to have knowledge 2 to be sure, informed, or aware in the know [Colloq.] having confidential information know better to be aware that one could or should act better or think more correctly know best to be the best guide, authority, etc. Æ you know [Colloq.] you understand: a phrase used in conversational pauses know´a·ble •adj. know´er •n. [ME knowen < OE cnawan, akin to OHG -cnāhan < IE base *Gen-, *Gnō-, to know, apprehend > CAN¹, KEN, L gnoscere, to know, Gr gignōskein]
know-how (-hau') •n. [Colloq.] knowledge of how to do something well; technical skill
knowing (-iŋ) •adj. 1 having knowledge or information 2 shrewd; clever 3 implying shrewd understanding or possession of secret or inside information {a knowing look} 4 deliberate; intentional •n. awareness or familiarity know´ing·ly •adv. know´ing·ness •n.
know-it-all (-it öl') •adj. [Colloq.] pretending or claiming to know much about almost everything •n. [Colloq.] a know-it-all person
knowledge (näl´ij) •n. 1 the act, fact, or state of knowing; specif., a) acquaintance or familiarity (with a fact, place, etc.) b) awareness c) understanding 2 acquaintance with facts; range of information, awareness, or understanding 3 all that has been perceived or grasped by the mind; learning; enlightenment 4 the body of facts, principles, etc. accumulated by mankind 5 [Archaic] carnal knowledge: see CARNAL SYN. INFORMATION to (the best of) one's knowledge as far as one knows; within the range of one's information [ME knoweleche, acknowledgment, confession < Late OE cnawlæc < cnawan (see KNOW) + -læc < lācan, to play, give, move about]
knowledgeable (-э bэl) •adj. having or showing knowledge or intelligence knowl'edge·a·bil´i·ty or knowl´edge·a·ble·ness •n. knowl´edge·a·bly •adv.
known (noun) •vt., vi. pp. of KNOW •adj. 1 within one's knowledge, understanding, etc.; familiar 2 recognized, proven, etc. {a known expert, a known theory} •n. a known person or thing
known quantity an algebraic quantity whose value is given: usually represented by an early letter of the alphabet, as a, b, and c
know-nothing (nou´nûθ'iŋ) •n. 1 an ignorant person; ignoramus 2 [Rare] an agnostic 3 [K- N-] a member of a secret political party in the U.S. in the 1850's with a program of keeping out of public office anyone not a native-born American: so called because members professed ignorance of the party's activities
Knox (näks), John c. 1514-72; Scot. Protestant clergyman & religious reformer
Knoxville (näks´vil') city in E Tenn., on the Tennessee River: pop. 165,000 (met. area 605,000) [after Gen. Henry Knox (1750-1806), 1st secretary of war]
Knt Knight
knuckle (nûk´эl) •n. 1 a) a joint of the finger; esp., the joint connecting a finger to the rest of the hand b) the rounded knob formed by the bones at such a joint 2 the knee or hock joint and nearby parts of a pig or other animal, used as food 3 something resembling a knuckle, as any of the projecting, cylindrical parts through which a pin is passed to form a hinge Æ 4 [pl.] BRASS KNUCKLES 5 Archit. the central joint in a gambrel or curb roof •vt. -led, -ling to strike, press, or touch with the knuckles Æ knuckle down 1 to rest the knuckles on the ground in shooting a marble 2 to work energetically or seriously knuckle under to yield; give in [ME knokyl < or akin to MDu & MLowG knokel, dim. of knoke, bone < IE *gneuG-: for IE base see KNOT¹]
knuckle ball Baseball a slow pitch without spin thrown with the first knuckles, or the nails, of the middle two or three fingers pressed against the ball: also knuck´ler
knuckle joint 1 any articulation, or point of movement, between two bones forming a knuckle 2 a hinged joint formed by a knuckle on one part that fits between two knuckles on another part
knucklebone (-boun') •n. 1 any bone of a human knuckle 2 a) an animal's limb bone with a rounded knob at the joint end b) the knob
knuckle-duster (-dûs'tэr) •n. BRASS KNUCKLES
knucklehead (-hed') •n. [Colloq.] a stupid person; fool
knur (nør) •n. a knot, as on the trunk or branch of a tree [ME knorre < or akin to MDu & MLowG < IE *gner- < base *gen- > KNOT¹]
knurl (nørl) •n. 1 a knot, knob, nodule, etc. 2 any of a series of small beads or ridges, as along the edge of a coin or on a dial 3 [Scot.] a short, thickset person •vt. to make knurls on; mill knurled •adj. [prob. blend of prec. + GNARL¹]
knurly (-i:) knurl´i·er, knurl´i·est •adj. full of knurls, as wood; gnarled
Knut (kªnut) see CANUTE
KO (kei´ou´) KO'd, KO'ing •vt. [Slang] Boxing to knock out •n. pl. KO's [Slang] Boxing a knockout Also K.O. or k.o.
koa (kou´э) •n. a Hawaiian acacia tree (Acacia koa) valued for its wood, used in building and cabinetmaking, and its bark, used in tanning [Haw < Proto-Polynesian *toa, tree]
koala (kou ä´lэ) •n. an Australian, tailless, tree-dwelling animal that is the only species (Phascolarctos cinereus) of a family (Phascolarticidae) of marsupials with thick, gray fur, sharp claws, and large, tufted ears: it resembles a small bear and feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves and buds [< kūlla, native name in Australia]
koan (kou´än') •n. in Zen, a nonsense question asked of a student to bring the student, through contemplation of it, to a greater awareness of reality [Jpn < kō, public + an, (a matter for) investigation, consideration]
kob (käb) •n. an orange-red antelope (Kobus kob) of SE Africa [< native name in Niger-Congo area, as in Wolof koba]
Kobarid (kou´bä ři:d') see CAPORETTO
Kobe (kou´bei´; E kou´bi:) seaport on the S coast of Honshu, Japan, on the Inland Sea: pop. 1,381,000
København (kö'bэn haun´) Dan. name of COPENHAGEN
Koblenz (kou´blents') city in W Germany, on the Rhine, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate: pop. 112,000
kobo (käb´ou) pl. kob´o •n. a monetary unit of Nigeria, equal to ¹/100 of a naira [native name of a former coin]
kobold (kou´böld', -bäld') •n. Gmc. Folklore 1 a helpful or mischievous sprite in households; brownie 2 a gnome in mines and other underground places [Ger < MHG kobolt, a household spirit < kobe, a hut (akin to COVE¹) + -olt < ? walten, to rule (see WIELD) or holde, spirit]
Koch (kouk; Ger kôkh), Robert 1843-1910; Ger. bacteriologist & physician
Kochi (kou´chi:) seaport in S Shikoku, Japan: pop. 306,000
Kodály (kou dai´), Zol·tán (zôl´tän') 1882-1967; Hung. composer
Kodiak (kou´di: æk') island off the SW coast of Alas., in the Gulf of Alaska: 5,363 sq. mi. (13,890 sq. km); pop. 13,000 [< Russ < ? native name meaning island]
kodiak bear (kou´di: æk') the largest brown bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi), found on Kodiak Island and in adjacent areas: it can attain a weight of 780 kg (c. 1,700 lbs.)
koel (kou´эl) •n. any of various large cuckoos (genus Eudynamys) of India, the East Indies, and Australia [Hindi < Sans kokila: orig. echoic]
Koestler (kest´lэr), Arthur 1905-83; Brit. writer & philosopher, born in Hungary
Koheleth (kou hel´eθ) ECCLESIASTES; also, its author, traditionally identified with Solomon [Heb qōheleth: see ECCLESIASTES]
Kohinoor or Koh-i-noor (kou´i nur') a famous large Indian diamond, now one of the British crown jewels [Pers kōh-i-nūr, lit., mountain of light]
Kohl (koul), Hel·mut (hel´mэt; Ger hel´mu:t) 1930- ; chancellor of Germany (1990- ); chancellor of West Germany (1982-90) kohl (koul) •n. a cosmetic preparation, as powdered antimony sulfide, used, esp. in certain Eastern countries, for eye makeup [Ar kuhl, antimony > ALCOHOL]
kohlrabi (koul'rä´bi:, koul´rä'bi:) pl. -bies •n. a garden vegetable (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) of the crucifer family, similar to cabbage; the edible part is a bulbous portion of the stem just above the ground [Ger, altered (infl. by kohl, cabbage) < It cavoli rape, pl. of cavolo rapa, cole rape < L caulis (> COLE) + rapa, turnip]
Kohoutek (kэ hou´tek, -hu:´-) •n. an important comet, first seen on March 7, 1973, visible from earth through early 1974 [after L. Kohoutek (1935- ), Czech astronomer in West Germany, who discovered it]
koine (koi nei´; koi´nei', -ni:') •n. [also K-] 1 the language used throughout the Greek world, from Syria to Gaul, during the Hellenistic and Roman periods: its spoken form consisted of colloquial Attic, supplemented by Ionic words and borrowings from other dialects: the New Testament is written in the koine 2 a regional dialect or language that has become the common language of a larger area [Gr (hē) koinē (dialektos), (the) common (dialect) < koinos: see COENO-]
kokanee (kou kæn´i:) pl. -ees •n.or -ee any landlocked population of the sockeye salmon of W North America [prob. after Kokanee Creek, a stream in British Columbia]
Koko Nor (kou´kou nör´) see QINGHAI (lake)
Kokomo (kou´kэ mou') city in central Ind.: pop. 45,000 [< Algonquian (Miami) name of local Indian chief]
Kokoschka (kou kösh´kэ), Oskar 1886-1980; Brit. painter, born in Austria
kok-saghyz or kok-sagyz (kouk'sæ gi:z´) •n. a dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) grown in Russia, Turkmenistan, etc. for the rubber obtained from its roots [Russ kok-sagyz < Turkic, lit., gum (or tar or rubber) root]
Kol Nidre (koul ni:´drei, nid´rэ; Heb kôl´ni: dřei´) 1 the prayer of atonement recited in synagogues at the opening of Yom Kippur eve services 2 the traditional music to which this is sung [Heb-Aram kol-nidre, all (our) vows: opening words of prayer < Aram kol, all + nidre, vows, pl. of neder, vow < root ndr, to vow]
kola (kou´lэ) •n. COLA¹ (sense 1)
kola nut the seed of the cola
Kola Peninsula (kou´lэ) peninsula in NW Russia, between the White & Barents seas: c. 50,000 sq. mi. (129,500 sq. km)
kolbasi or kolbassi (koul bä´si:) •n. var. of KIELBASA
Kolhapur (koul´hä pu:ř´) city in W India, in Maharashtra state: pop. 351,000
kolinsky (kэ lin´ski:, kou-) pl. -skies •n. 1 any of several weasels of Asia, esp. a Russian species (Mustela siberica) 2 the brown fur of a kolinsky [Russ kolinskij, after Kola, district in N Russia]
kolkhoz (käl köz´) •n. a collective farm in the Soviet Union [Russ < koll(yektivnoye), collective + khoz(yajstvo), household, farm]
Kollwitz (köl´vits'), Kä·the (kei´tэ) (born Käthe Schmidt) 1867-1945; Ger. painter, etcher, & lithographer
Köln (köln) Ger. name of COLOGNE
kolo (kou´lou) pl. -los •n. a Serbian folk dance performed by a group in a circle [Serb < OSlav, wheel < IE base *kwel-, to turn > WHEEL]
Kolyma (kä'li: mä´) river in far E Russia, flowing north into the East Siberian Sea: c. 1,500 mi. (2,410 km): also sp. Ko·li·ma´
Komodo dragon (kэ mou´dou) a giant, flesh-eating monitor lizard (Varanus komodoensis) of SE Asian jungles: it is the largest living lizard, reaching a length of c. 3.5 m (11.5 ft.) [after Komodo Island, Indonesia]
komondor (kou´mэn dör', käm´эn-) pl. -dors' or -do'rok (-dör'эk) •n. any of a breed of large, powerful dog with a dense, white coat that forms itself into cords which hang freely; orig. used in Hungary to guard herds and flocks [Hung < Turkic]
Komsomol (käm'sэ möl´) the Communist organization for youth in the Soviet Union [Russ Kom(munisticheskij) So(yuz) Mol(odyozhi), Communist League of Youth]
Komsomolsk-on-Amur (käm'sэ mölsk´ än' ä mur´) city in SE Russia, on the Amur River: pop. 300,000
Kongo (käŋ´gou) •n. 1 pl. -gos or -go a member of a Bantu people of N Angola and SW Zaire 2 their language
Königgrätz (kö´niH gřets') old (Ger.) name of HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ
Königsberg (-niHs beřk') old (Ger.) name of KALININGRAD
konk (käŋk, köŋk) •n., vt. CONK¹
Konstanz (kôn´stänts') Ger. name of CONSTANCE
Konya (kön´yä') city in SW central Turkey: pop. 329,000
koodoo (ku:´du:') pl. -doos •n.or -doo alt. sp. of KUDU
kook (ku:k) •n. [Slang] a person regarded as silly, eccentric, crazy, etc. [prob. contr. < CUCKOO]
kookaburra (kuk´э bør'э, -bûr'э) •n. an Australian kingfisher (Dacelo gigas) with an abrupt, harsh cry suggestive of loud laughter [< native name in Australia]
kooky or kookie (ku:´ki:) kook´i·er, kook´i·est •adj. [Slang] of or characteristic of a kook; silly, eccentric, crazy, etc. kook´i·ness •n.
Kooning , Willem de see DE KOONING, Willem