K
K1 n. (also k) (pl. Ks or k's) eleventh letter of the alphabet.
K2 abbr. (also k.) 1 kelvin(s). 2 king, king's. 3 köchel (catalogue of mozart's works). 4 (also k) (prec. By a numeral) a computing unit of 1,024 (i.e. 210) bytes or bits, or loosely 1,000. B 1,000. [sense 4 as abbreviation of +kilo-]
K3 symb. Potassium. [latin kalium]
K abbr. 1 kilo-. 2 knot(s).
Kaffir n. 1 hist. Member or language of a s. African people of the bantu family. 2 s.afr. Offens. Any black african. [arabic, = infidel]
Kafkaesque adj. Impenetrably oppressive or nightmarish, as in the fiction of franz kafka.
Kaftan var. Of +caftan.
Kaiser n. Hist. Emperor, esp. Of germany, austria, or the holy roman empire. [latin +caesar]
Kalashnikov n. Type of soviet rifle or sub-machine-gun. [russian]
Kale n. Variety of cabbage, esp. With wrinkled leaves and no heart. [northern var. Of +cole]
Kaleidoscope n. 1 tube containing mirrors and pieces of coloured glass etc. Producing changing reflected patterns when shaken. 2 constantly changing pattern, group, etc. ~ kaleidoscopic adj. [greek kalos beautiful, eidos form, +-scope]
Kalends var. Of +calends.
Kaleyard n. Scot. Kitchen garden.
Kamikaze —n. Hist. 1 explosive-laden japanese aircraft deliberately crashed on a ship etc. During the war of 1939–45. 2 pilot of this. —attrib. Adj. 1 of a kamikaze. 2 reckless, esp. Suicidal. [japanese, = divine wind]
Kangaroo n. (pl. -s) australian marsupial with strong hind legs for jumping. [aboriginal]
Kangaroo court n. Illegal court, e.g. Held by strikers or mutineers.
Kaolin n. Fine soft white clay used esp. For porcelain and in medicines. [chinese kao-ling high hill]
Kapok n. Fine fibrous cotton-like substance from a tropical tree, used for padding. [malay]
Kappa n. Tenth letter of the greek alphabet (k, k). [greek]
Kaput predic. Adj. Slang broken, ruined. [german]
Karabiner n. Coupling link used by mountaineers. [german, literally ‘carbine’]
Karakul n. (also caracul) 1 asian sheep with a dark curled fleece when young. 2 fur of or like this. [russian]
Karaoke n. Entertainment in nightclubs etc. With customers singing to a backing track. [japanese, = empty orchestra]
Karate n. Japanese system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet as weapons. [japanese, = empty hand]
Karma n. Buddhism & hinduism person's actions in previous lives, believed to decide his or her fate in future existences. [sanskrit, = action, fate]
Kauri n. (pl. -s) coniferous new zealand tree yielding timber and resin. [maori]
Kayak n. 1 eskimo one-man canoe of wood and sealskins. 2 small covered canoe. [eskimo]
Kazoo n. Toy musical instrument into which the player sings or hums. [origin uncertain]
Kbe abbr. Knight commander of the order of the british empire.
Kc abbr. King's counsel.
Kc/s abbr. Kilocycles per second.
Kea n. New zealand parrot with brownish-green and red plumage. [maori, imitative]
Kebab n. Pieces of meat, vegetables, etc. Cooked on a skewer (cf. +doner kebab, +shish kebab). [urdu from arabic]
Kedge —v. (-ging) 1 move (a ship) with a hawser attached to a small anchor. 2 (of a ship) move in this way. —n. (in full kedge-anchor) small anchor for this purpose. [origin uncertain]
Kedgeree n. Dish of fish, rice, hard-boiled eggs, etc. [hindi]
Keel —n. Main lengthwise member of the base of a ship etc. —v. 1 (often foll. By over) (cause to) fall down or over. 2 turn keel upwards. ~ on an even keel steady; balanced. [old norse]
Keelhaul v. 1 drag (a person) under the keel of a ship as a punishment. 2 scold or rebuke severely.
Keelson n. (also kelson) line of timber fastening a ship's floor-timbers to its keel. [origin uncertain]
Keen1 adj. 1 enthusiastic, eager. 2 (foll. By on) enthusiastic about, fond of. 3 (of the senses) sharp. 4 intellectually acute. 5 (of a knife etc.) Sharp. 6 (of a sound, light, etc.) Penetrating, vivid. 7 (of a wind etc.) Piercingly cold. 8 (of a pain etc.) Acute. 9 (of a price) competitive. ~ keenly adv. Keenness n. [old english]
Keen2 —n. Irish wailing funeral song. —v. (often foll. By over, for) wail mournfully, esp. At a funeral. [irish caoine from caoinim wail]
Keep —v. (past and past part. Kept) 1 have continuous charge of; retain possession of. 2 (foll. By for) retain or reserve for (a future time) (kept it for later). 3 retain or remain in a specified condition, position, place, etc. (keep cool; keep out; keep them happy; knives are kept here). 4 (foll. By from) restrain, hold back. 5 detain (what kept you?). 6 observe, honour, or respect (a law, custom, commitment, secret, etc.) (keep one's word; keep the sabbath). 7 own and look after (animals). 8 a clothe, feed, maintain, etc. (a person, oneself, etc.). B (foll. By in) maintain (a person) with a supply of. 9 carry on; manage (a business etc.). 10 maintain (a diary, house, accounts, etc.) Regularly and in proper order. 11 normally have on sale (do you keep buttons?). 12 guard or protect (a person or place). 13 preserve (keep order). 14 (foll. By verbal noun) continue; repeat habitually (keeps telling me). 15 continue to follow (a way or course). 16 a (esp. Of food) remain in good condition. B (of news etc.) Not suffer from delay in telling. 17 (often foll. By to) remain in (one's bed, room, etc.). 18 maintain (a person) as one's mistress etc. (kept woman). —n. 1 maintenance, food, etc. (hardly earn your keep). 2 hist. Tower, esp. The central stronghold of a castle. ~ for keeps colloq. Permanently, indefinitely. How are you keeping? How are you? Keep at (cause to) persist with. Keep away (often foll. By from) avoid, prevent from being near. Keep back 1 remain or keep at a distance. 2 retard the progress of. 3 conceal. 4 withhold (kept back £50). Keep down 1 hold in subjection. 2 keep low in amount. 3 stay hidden. 4 not vomit (food eaten). Keep one's hair on see +hair. Keep one's hand in see +hand. Keep in with remain on good terms with. Keep off 1 (cause to) stay away from. 2 ward off. 3 abstain from. 4 avoid (a subject) (let's keep off religion). Keep on 1 continue; do continually (kept on laughing). 2 continue to employ. 3 (foll. By at) nag. Keep out 1 keep or remain outside. 2 exclude. Keep to 1 adhere to (a course, promise, etc.). 2 confine oneself to. Keep to oneself 1 avoid contact with others. 2 keep secret. Keep track of see +track. Keep under repress. Keep up 1 maintain (progress, morale, etc.). 2 keep in repair etc. 3 carry on (a correspondence etc.). 4 prevent from going to bed. 5 (often foll. By with) not fall behind.
Keeper n. 1 person who looks after or is in charge of animals, people, or a thing. 2 custodian of a museum, forest, etc. 3 a = +wicket-keeper. B = +goalkeeper. 4 a sleeper in a pierced ear. B ring that keeps another on the finger.
Keep-fit n. Regular physical exercises.
Keeping n. 1 custody, charge (in safe keeping). 2 agreement, harmony (esp. In or out of keeping (with)).
Keepsake n. Souvenir, esp. Of a person.
Keg n. Small barrel. [old norse]
Keg beer n. Beer kept in a metal keg under pressure.
Kelp n. 1 large brown seaweed suitable for manure. 2 its calcined ashes, formerly a source of sodium, potassium, etc. [origin unknown]
Kelpie n. Scot. 1 malevolent water-spirit, usu. In the form of a horse. 2 australian sheepdog. [origin unknown]
Kelson var. Of +keelson.
Kelt var. Of +celt.
Kelt n. Salmon or sea trout after spawning. [origin unknown]
Kelter var. Of +kilter.
Kelvin n. Si unit of thermodynamic temperature. [kelvin, name of a physicist]
Kelvin scale n. Scale of temperature with zero at absolute zero.
Ken —n. Range of knowledge or sight (beyond my ken). —v. (-nn-; past and past part. Kenned or kent) scot. & n.engl. 1 recognize at sight. 2 know. [old english, = make known: related to +can1]
Kendo n. Japanese fencing with two-handed bamboo swords. [japanese, = sword-way]
Kennel —n. 1 small shelter for a dog. 2 (in pl.) Breeding or boarding place for dogs. —v. (-ll-; us -l-) put into or keep in a kennel. [french chenil from latin canis dog]
Kent past and past part. Of +ken.
Kenyan —adj. Of kenya in e. Africa. —n. 1 native or national of kenya. 2 person of kenyan descent.
Kepi n. (pl. -s) french military cap with a horizontal peak. [french képi]
Kept past and past part. Of +keep.
Keratin n. Fibrous protein in hair, feathers, hooves, claws, horns, etc. [greek keras kerat- horn]
Kerb n. Stone edging to a pavement or raised path. [var. Of +curb]
Kerb-crawling n. Colloq. Driving slowly in order to engage a prostitute.
Kerb drill n. Precautions before crossing a road.
Kerbstone n. Stone forming part of a kerb.
Kerchief n. 1 headscarf, neckerchief. 2 poet. Handkerchief. [anglo-french courchef: related to +cover, +chief]
Kerfuffle n. Colloq. Fuss, commotion. [originally scots]
Kermes n. 1 female of an insect with a berry-like appearance. 2 (in full kermes oak) evergreen oak on which this feeds. 3 red dye made from these insects dried. [arabic]
Kernel n. 1 (usu. Soft) edible centre within the hard shell of a nut, fruit stone, seed, etc. 2 whole seed of a cereal. 3 essence of anything. [old english: related to +corn1]
Kerosene n. (also kerosine) esp. Us fuel oil for use in jet engines, boilers, etc.; paraffin oil. [greek keros wax]
Kestrel n. Small hovering falcon. [origin uncertain]
Ketch n. Small two-masted sailing-boat. [probably from +catch]
Ketchup n. (us catsup) spicy esp. Tomato sauce used as a condiment. [chinese]
Ketone n. Any of a class of organic compounds including propanone (acetone). [german keton, alteration of aketon +acetone]
Kettle n. Vessel for boiling water in. ~ a different kettle of fish a different matter altogether. A fine (or pretty) kettle of fish iron. An awkward state of affairs. [old norse]
Kettledrum n. Large bowl-shaped drum.
Key1 —n. (pl. -s) 1 (usu. Metal) instrument for moving the bolt of a lock. 2 similar implement for operating a switch. 3 instrument for grasping screws, nuts, etc., or for winding a clock etc. 4 (often in pl.) Finger-operated button or lever on a typewriter, piano, computer terminal, etc. 5 means of advance, access, etc. (key to success). 6 (attrib.) Essential (key element). 7 a solution or explanation. B word or system for solving a cipher or code. C explanatory list of symbols used in a map, table, etc. 8 mus. System of notes related to each other and based on a particular note (key of c major).
Key2 n. Low-lying island or reef, esp. In the w. Indies. [spanish cayo]
Keyboard —n. 1 set of keys on a typewriter, computer, piano, etc. 2 electronic musical instrument with keys arranged as on a piano. —v. Enter (data) by means of a keyboard. ~ keyboarder n. (in sense 1 of n.). Keyboardist n. (in sense 2 of n.).
Keyhole n. Hole in a door etc. For a key.
Keyhole surgery n. Colloq. Minimally invasive surgery carried out through a very small incision.
Keynesian adj. Of the economic theories of j. M. Keynes, esp. Regarding state intervention in the economy.
Keynote n. 1 (esp. Attrib.) Prevailing tone or idea, esp. In a speech, conference, etc. 2 mus. Note on which a key is based.
Keypad n. Miniature keyboard etc. For a portable electronic device, telephone, etc.
Keypunch —n. Device for recording data by means of punched holes or notches on cards or paper tape. —v. Record (data) thus.
Key-ring n. Ring for keeping keys on.
Key signature n. Mus. Any of several combinations of sharps or flats indicating the key of a composition.
Keystone n. 1 central principle of a system, policy, etc. 2 central locking stone in an arch.
Keystroke n. Single depression of a key on a keyboard, esp. As a measure of work.
Keyword n. 1 key to a cipher etc. 2 a word of great significance. B significant word used in indexing.
Kg abbr. Knight of the order of the garter.
Kg abbr. Kilogram(s).
Kgb n. State security police of the former ussr. [russian abbreviation, = committee of state security]
Khaki —adj. Dull brownish-yellow. —n. (pl. -s) 1 khaki fabric or uniform. 2 dull brownish-yellow colour. [urdu, = dusty]
Khan n. Title of rulers and officials in central asia, afghanistan, etc. ~ khanate n. [turki, = lord]
Khz abbr. Kilohertz.
Kibbutz n. (pl. Kibbutzim) communal esp. Farming settlement in israel. [hebrew, = gathering]
Kibosh n. Slang nonsense. ~ put the kibosh on put an end to. [origin unknown]
Kick —v. 1 strike, strike out, or propel forcibly, with the foot or hoof. 2 (often foll. By at, against) protest at; rebel against. 3 slang give up (a habit). 4 (often foll. By out etc.) Expel or dismiss forcibly. 5 refl. Be annoyed with oneself. 6 football score (a goal) by a kick. —n. 1 kicking action or blow. 2 colloq. A sharp stimulant effect, esp. Of alcohol. B (often in pl.) Thrill (did it for kicks). 3 strength, resilience (no kick left). 4 colloq. Specified temporary interest (on a jogging kick). 5 recoil of a gun when fired. ~ kick about (or around) colloq. 1 a drift idly from place to place. B be unused or unwanted. 2 a treat roughly. B discuss unsystematically. Kick the bucket slang die. Kick one's heels see +heel1.
Kickback n. Colloq. 1 recoil. 2 (usu. Illegal) payment for help or favours, esp. In business.
Kick-off n. Football start or resumption of a match.
Kickstand n. Rod for supporting a bicycle or motor cycle when stationary.
Kick-start —n. (also kick-starter) device to start the engine of a motor cycle etc. By the downward thrust of a pedal. —v. Start (a motor cycle etc.) In this way.
Kid1 —n. 1 young goat. 2 leather from this. 3 colloq. Child. —v. (-dd-) (of a goat) give birth. ~ handle with kid gloves treat carefully. [old norse]
Kid2 v. (also refl.) (-dd-) colloq. Deceive, trick, tease (don't kid yourself; only kidding). ~ no kidding slang that is the truth. [origin uncertain]
Kiddie n. (also kiddy) (pl. -ies) slang = +kid1 n. 3.
Kiddo n. (pl. -s) slang = +kid1 n. 3.
Kidnap v. (-pp-; us -p-) 1 abduct (a person etc.), esp. To obtain a ransom. 2 steal (a child). ~ kidnapper n. [from +kid1, nap = +nab]
Kidney n. (pl. -s) 1 either of two organs in the abdominal cavity of vertebrates which remove nitrogenous wastes from the blood and excrete urine. 2 animal's kidney as food. [origin unknown]
Kidney bean n. Red-skinned dried bean.
Kidney machine n. Machine able to take over the function of a damaged kidney.
Kidney-shaped adj. Having one side concave and the other convex.
Kill —v. 1 (also absol.) Deprive of life or vitality; cause death or the death of. 2 destroy (feelings etc.). 3 refl. Colloq. A overexert oneself (don't kill yourself trying). B laugh heartily. 4 colloq. Overwhelm with amusement. 5 switch off (a light, engine, etc.). 6 computing colloq. Delete. 7 colloq. Cause pain or discomfort to (my feet are killing me). 8 pass (time, or a specified period) usu. While waiting (an hour to kill before the interview). 9 defeat (a bill in parliament). 10 a tennis etc. Hit (the ball) so that it cannot be returned. B stop (the ball) dead. 11 make ineffective (taste, sound, pain, etc.) (carpet killed the sound). —n. 1 act of killing (esp. In hunting). 2 animal(s) killed, esp. By a hunter. 3 colloq. Destruction or disablement of an enemy aircraft etc. ~ dressed to kill dressed showily or alluringly. In at the kill present at a successful conclusion. Kill off 1 destroy completely. 2 (of an author) bring about the death of (a fictional character). Kill or cure (usu. Attrib.) (of a remedy etc.) Drastic, extreme. Kill two birds with one stone achieve two aims at once. Kill with kindness spoil with overindulgence. [perhaps related to +quell]
Killer n. 1 a person, animal, or thing that kills. B murderer. 2 colloq. A impressive, formidable, or excellent thing. B hilarious joke.
Killer instinct n. 1 innate tendency to kill. 2 ruthless streak.
Killer whale n. Dolphin with a prominent dorsal fin.
Killing —n. 1 a causing of death. B instance of this. 2 colloq. Great (esp. Financial) success (make a killing). —adj. Colloq. 1 very funny. 2 exhausting.
Killjoy n. Gloomy or censorious person, esp. At a party etc.
Kiln n. Furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying, esp. For calcining lime or firing pottery etc. [old english from latin culina kitchen]
Kilo n. (pl. -s) kilogram. [french, abbreviation]
Kilo- comb. Form 1,000 (esp. In metric units). [greek khilioi]
Kilobyte n. Computing 1,024 (i.e. 210) bytes as a measure of memory size etc.
Kilocalorie n. = large calorie (see +calorie).
Kilocycle n. Hist. Kilohertz.
Kilogram n. (also -gramme) si unit of mass, approx. 2.205 lb.
Kilohertz n. 1,000 hertz, 1,000 cycles per second.
Kilojoule n. 1,000 joules, esp. As a measure of the energy value of foods.
Kiloliter n. (brit. -litre) 1,000 litres (220 imperial gallons).
Kilolitre n. (us -liter) 1,000 litres (220 imperial gallons).
Kilometer n. (brit. -metre) 1,000 metres (approx. 0.62 miles). ~ kilometric adj.
Usage the second pronunciation given, with the stress on the second syllable, is considered incorrect by some people.
Kilometre n. (us -meter) 1,000 metres (approx. 0.62 miles). ~ kilometric adj.
Kiloton n. (also kilotonne) unit of explosive power equivalent to 1,000 tons of tnt.
Kilovolt n. 1,000 volts.
Kilowatt n. 1,000 watts.
Kilowatt-hour n. Electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of 1,000 watts for one hour.
Kilt —n. Pleated knee-length usu. Tartan skirt, traditionally worn by highland men. —v. 1 tuck up (the skirts) round the body. 2 (esp. As kilted adj.) Gather in vertical pleats. [scandinavian]
Kilter n. (also kelter) good working order (esp. Out of kilter). [origin unknown]
Kimono n. (pl. -s) 1 long sashed japanese robe. 2 similar dressing-gown. [japanese]
Kin —n. One's relatives or family. —predic. Adj. Related. [old english]
-kin suffix forming diminutive nouns (catkin; manikin). [dutch]
Kind —n. 1 race, species, or natural group of animals, plants, etc. (human kind). 2 class, type, sort, variety. 3 natural way, fashion, etc. (true to kind). —adj. (often foll. By to) friendly, generous, or benevolent. ~ in kind 1 in the same form, likewise (was insulted and replied in kind). 2 (of payment) in goods or labour, not money. 3 character, quality (differ in degree but not in kind). Kind of colloq. To some extent (i kind of expected it). A kind of loosely resembling (he's a kind of doctor). [old english]
Usage in sense 2 of the noun, these kinds of is usually preferred to these kind of.
Kindergarten n. Class or school for very young children. [german, = children's garden]
Kind-hearted adj. Of a kind disposition. ~ kind-heartedly adv. Kind-heartedness n.
Kindle v. (-ling) 1 light, catch, or set on fire. 2 arouse or inspire. 3 become aroused or animated. [old norse]
Kindling n. Small sticks etc. For lighting fires.
Kindly1 adv. 1 in a kind manner (spoke kindly). 2 often iron. Please (kindly go away). ~ look kindly upon regard sympathetically. Take kindly to be pleased by; like.
Kindly2 adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 kind, kind-hearted. 2 (of a climate etc.) Pleasant, mild. ~ kindlily adv. Kindliness n.
Kindness n. 1 being kind. 2 kind act.
Kindred —adj. Related, allied, or similar. —n. 1 one's relations collectively. 2 blood relationship. 3 resemblance in character. [old english, = kinship]
Kindred spirit n. Person like or in sympathy with oneself.
Kinematics n.pl. (usu. Treated as sing.) Branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of objects without reference to cause. ~ kinematic adj. [greek kinema -matos motion]
Kinetic adj. Of or due to motion. ~ kinetically adv. [greek kineo move]
Kinetic art n. Sculpture etc. Designed to move.
Kinetic energy n. Energy of motion.
Kinetics n.pl. 1 = +dynamics 1a. 2 (usu. Treated as sing.) Branch of physical chemistry measuring and studying the rates of chemical reactions.
King n. 1 (as a title usu. King) male sovereign, esp. A hereditary ruler. 2 pre-eminent person or thing (oil king). 3 (attrib.) Large (or the largest) kind of plant, animal, etc. (king penguin). 4 chess piece which must be checkmated for a win. 5 crowned piece in draughts. 6 court-card depicting a king. 7 (the king) national anthem when the sovereign is male. ~ kingly adj. Kingship n. [old english]
King charles spaniel n. Small black and tan spaniel.
Kingcup n. Marsh marigold.
Kingdom n. 1 territory or state ruled by a king or queen. 2 spiritual reign or sphere of god. 3 domain. 4 division of the natural world (plant kingdom). 5 specified sphere (kingdom of the heart). [old english]
Kingdom come n. Colloq. The next world.
Kingfisher n. Small bird with brightly coloured plumage, diving for fish etc.
King of arms n. A chief herald.
King of beasts n. Lion.
King of birds n. Eagle.
Kingpin n. 1 main, large, or vertical bolt, esp. As a pivot. 2 essential person or thing.
King-post n. Upright post from the tie-beam of a roof to the apex of a truss.
King's counsel n. = +queen's counsel.
King's english n. = +queen's english.
King's evidence see +evidence.
King's guide n. = +queen's guide.
King's highway n. = +queen's highway.
King-size adj. (also -sized) very large.
King's proctor n. = +queen's proctor.
King's scout n. = +queen's scout.
Kink —n. 1 a twist or bend in wire etc. B tight wave in hair. 2 mental twist or quirk, esp. When perverse. —v. (cause to) form a kink. [low german or dutch]
Kinky adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 colloq. A sexually perverted or unconventional. B (of clothing etc.) Bizarre and sexually provocative. 2 having kinks. ~ kinkily adv. Kinkiness n.
Kinsfolk n.pl. One's blood relations.
Kinship n. 1 blood relationship. 2 likeness; sympathy.
Kinsman n. (fem. Kinswoman) 1 blood relation. 2 relation by marriage.
Usage use of kinsman in sense 2 is considered incorrect by some people.
Kiosk n. 1 light open-fronted booth selling food, newspapers, tickets, etc. 2 telephone box. [turkish from persian]
Kip slang —n. 1 sleep; nap. 2 bed or cheap lodgings. —v. (-pp-) (often foll. By down) sleep. [cf. Danish kippe mean hut]
Kipper —n. Fish, esp. A herring, split, salted, dried, and usu. Smoked. —v. Cure (a herring etc.) Thus. [origin uncertain]
Kir n. Dry white wine with crème de cassis.
Kirby-grip n. (also kirbigrip propr.) Type of sprung hairgrip. [kirby, name of the manufacturer]
Kirk n. Scot. & n.engl. 1 church. 2 (the kirk or the kirk of scotland) church of scotland. [old norse kirkja = +church]
Kirk-session n. Lowest court in the church of scotland.
Kirsch n. Brandy distilled from cherries. [german, = cherry]
Kismet n. Destiny, fate. [turkish from arabic]
Kiss —v. 1 touch with the lips, esp. As a sign of love, affection, greeting, or reverence. 2 (of two people) touch each others' lips in this way. 3 lightly touch. —n. 1 touch with the lips. 2 light touch. ~ kiss and tell recount one's sexual exploits. Kiss a person's arse coarse slang toady to. Kiss the dust submit abjectly. [old english]
Kiss-curl n. Small curl of hair on the forehead, nape, etc.
Kisser n. 1 person who kisses. 2 slang mouth; face.
Kiss of death n. Apparent good luck etc. Which causes ruin.
Kiss of life n. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Kissogram n. (also kissagram propr.) Novelty telegram or greeting delivered with a kiss.
Kit —n. 1 articles, equipment, etc. For a specific purpose (first-aid kit). 2 specialized, esp. Sports, clothing or uniform (football kit). 3 set of parts needed to assemble furniture, a model, etc. —v. (-tt-) (often foll.
Kitbag n. Large usu. Cylindrical bag used for a soldier's or traveller's kit.
Kitchen n. 1 place where food is prepared and cooked. 2 kitchen fitments (half-price kitchens). [latin coquina]
Kitchenette n. Small kitchen or cooking area.
Kitchen garden n. Garden with vegetables, fruit, herbs, etc.
Kitchenware n. Cooking utensils.
Kite n. 1 light framework with a thin covering flown on a string in the wind. 2 soaring bird of prey. [old english]
Kitemark n. Official kite-shaped mark on goods approved by the british standards institution.
Kith n. ~ kith and kin friends and relations. [old english, originally ‘knowledge’: related to +can1]
Kitsch n. (often attrib.) Vulgar, pretentious, or worthless art. ~ kitschy adj. (-ier, -iest). [german]
Kitten —n. Young cat, ferret, etc. —v. (of a cat etc.) Give birth (to). ~ have kittens colloq. Be very upset or anxious. [anglo-french diminutive of chat +cat]
Kittenish adj. Playful, lively, or flirtatious.
Kittiwake n. A kind of small seagull. [imitative of its cry]
Kitty1 n. (pl. -ies) 1 fund of money for communal use. 2 pool in some card-games. [origin unknown]
Kitty2 n. (pl. -ies) childish name for a kitten or cat.
Kiwi n. (pl. -s) 1 flightless long-billed new zealand bird. 2 (kiwi) colloq. New zealander. [maori]
Kiwi fruit n. Green-fleshed fruit of a climbing plant.
Kj abbr. Kilojoule(s).
Kl abbr. Kilolitre(s).
Klaxon n. Propr. Horn or warning hooter. [name of the manufacturer]
Kleenex n. (pl. Same or -nexes) propr. Disposable paper handkerchief.
Kleptomania n. Obsessive apparently motiveless urge to steal. ~ kleptomaniac n. & adj. [greek kleptes thief]
Km abbr. Kilometre(s).
Knack n. 1 acquired faculty or trick of doing a thing. 2 habit (a knack of offending people). [origin unknown]
Knacker —n. Buyer of useless horses etc. For slaughter, or of old houses, ships, etc. For the materials. —v. Slang (esp. As knackered adj.) Exhaust, wear out. [origin unknown]
Knapsack n. Soldier's or hiker's usu. Canvas bag carried on the back. [german knappen bite, +sack1]
Knapweed n. Plant with thistle-like purple flowers. [from knop ornamental knob or tuft]
Knave n. 1 rogue, scoundrel. 2 = +jack n. 2. ~ knavery n. (pl. -ies). Knavish adj. [old english, originally = boy, servant]
Knead v. 1 a work into a dough, paste, etc. By pummelling. B make (bread, pottery, etc.) Thus. 2 massage (muscles etc.) As if kneading. [old english]
Knee —n. 1 a (often attrib.) Joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans. B corresponding joint in other animals. C area around this. D lap (sat on his knee). 2 part of a garment covering the knee. —v. (knees, kneed, kneeing) 1 touch or strike with the knee (kneed him in the groin). 2 colloq. Make (trousers) bulge at the knee. ~ bring a person to his (or her) knees reduce a person to submission. [old english]
Knee-bend n. Bending of the knee, esp. As a physical exercise.
Knee-breeches n.pl. Close-fitting trousers to the knee or just below.
Kneecap —n. 1 convex bone in front of the knee. 2 protective covering for the knee. —v. (-pp-) slang (of a terrorist) shoot (a person) in the knee or leg as a punishment.
Knee-deep adj. 1 (usu. Foll. By in) a immersed up to the knees. B deeply involved. 2 so deep as to reach the knees.
Knee-high adj. So high as to reach the knees.
Knee-jerk n. 1 sudden involuntary kick caused by a blow on the tendon just below the knee. 2 (attrib.) Predictable, automatic, stereotyped.
Kneel v. (past and past part. Knelt or esp. Us kneeled) fall or rest on the knees or a knee. [old english: related to +knee]
Knee-length adj. Reaching the knees.
Kneeler n. 1 cushion for kneeling on. 2 person who kneels.
Knees-up n. Colloq. Lively party or gathering.
Knell —n. 1 sound of a bell, esp. For a death or funeral. 2 announcement, event, etc., regarded as an ill omen. —v. 1 ring a knell. 2 proclaim by or as by a knell. [old english]
Knelt past and past part. Of +kneel.
Knew past of +know.
Knickerbocker n. (in pl.) Loose-fitting breeches gathered at the knee or calf. [the pseudonym of w. Irving, author of history of new york]
Knickerbocker glory n. Ice-cream served with fruit etc. In a tall glass.
Knickers n.pl. Woman's or girl's undergarment for the lower torso. [abbreviation of +knickerbocker]
Knick-knack n. (also nick-nack) trinket or small dainty ornament etc. [from +knack in the obsolete sense ‘trinket’]
Knife —n. (pl. Knives) 1 metal blade for cutting or as a weapon, with usu. One long sharp edge fixed in a handle. 2 cutting-blade in a machine. 3 (as the knife) surgical operation. —v. (-fing) cut or stab with a knife. ~ at knife-point threatened with a knife or an ultimatum etc. Get (or have got) one's knife into treat maliciously, persecute. [old english]
Knife-edge n. 1 edge of a knife. 2 position of extreme danger or uncertainty.
Knife-pleat n. Narrow flat usu. Overlapping pleat on a skirt etc.
Knight —n. 1 man awarded a non-hereditary title (sir) by a sovereign. 2 hist. A man, usu. Noble, raised to honourable military rank after service as a page and squire. B military follower, attendant, or lady's champion in a war or tournament. 3 man devoted to a cause, woman, etc. 4 chess piece usu. Shaped like a horse's head. —v. Confer a knighthood on. ~ knighthood n. Knightly adj. Poet. [old english, originally = boy]
Knight commander see +commander.
Knight errant n. 1 medieval knight in search of chivalrous adventures. 2 chivalrous or quixotic man. ~ knight-errantry n.
Knit v. (-tt-; past and past part. Knitted or (esp. In senses 2–4) knit) 1 (also absol.) A make (a garment etc.) By interlocking loops of esp. Wool with knitting-needles or a knitting-machine. B make (a plain stitch) in knitting (knit one, purl one). 2 momentarily wrinkle (the forehead) or (of the forehead) become momentarily wrinkled. 3 (often foll. By together) make or become close or compact. 4 (often foll. By together) (of a broken bone) become joined; heal. ~ knit up make or repair by knitting. ~ knitter n. [old english]
Knitting n. Work being knitted.
Knitting-machine n. Machine for knitting.
Knitting-needle n. Thin pointed rod used esp. In pairs for knitting by hand.
Knitwear n. Knitted garments.
Knives pl. Of +knife.
Knob n. 1 rounded protuberance, esp. At the end or on the surface of a thing, e.g. The handle of a door, drawer, a radio control, etc. 2 small piece (of butter etc.). ~ with knobs on slang that and more (same to you with knobs on). ~ knobby adj. Knoblike adj. [low german knobbe knot, knob]
Knobbly adj. (-ier, -iest) hard and lumpy. [knobble, diminutive of +knob]
Knock —v. 1 a strike with an audible sharp blow. B (often foll. By at) strike (a door etc.) To gain admittance. 2 make (a hole etc.) By knocking. 3 (usu. Foll. By in, out, off, etc.) Drive (a thing, person, etc.) By striking (knocked the ball into the hole; knocked those ideas out of him). 4 slang criticize. 5 a (of an engine) make a thumping or rattling noise. B = +pink3. 6 coarse slang offens. = knock off 6. —n. 1 act or sound of knocking. 2 knocking sound in esp. An engine. ~ knock about (or around) colloq. 1 strike repeatedly; treat roughly. 2 a wander aimlessly or adventurously. B be present, esp. By chance (a cup knocking about somewhere). C (usu. Foll. By with) be associated socially. Knock back 1 slang eat or drink, esp. Quickly. 2 slang disconcert. Knock down 1 strike (esp. A person) to the ground. 2 demolish. 3 (usu. Foll.
Knockabout attrib. Adj. 1 (of comedy) boisterous; slapstick. 2 (of clothes) hard-wearing.
Knock-down attrib. Adj. 1 overwhelming. 2 (of a price) very low. 3 (of a price at auction) reserve. 4 (of furniture etc.) Easily dismantled and reassembled.
Knocker n. 1 hinged esp. Metal instrument on a door for knocking with. 2 (in pl.) Coarse slang woman's breasts.
Knocking-shop n. Slang brothel.
Knock knees n.pl. Abnormal curvature of the legs inwards at the knee. ~ knock-kneed adj.
Knock-on effect n. Secondary, indirect, or cumulative effect.
Knockout n. 1 act of making unconscious by a blow. 2 (usu. Attrib.) Boxing etc. Such a blow. 3 competition in which the loser in each round is eliminated (also attrib.: knockout round). 4 colloq. Outstanding or irresistible person or thing.
Knock-up n. Practice at tennis etc.
Knoll n. Hillock, mound. [old english]
Knot1 —n. 1 a intertwining of rope, string, hair, etc., so as to fasten. B set method of this (reef knot). C knotted ribbon etc. As an ornament. D tangle in hair, knitting, etc. 2 unit of a ship's or aircraft's speed, equivalent to one nautical mile per hour. 3 (usu. Foll. By of) cluster (knot of journalists). 4 bond, esp. Of marriage. 5 hard lump of organic tissue. 6 a hard mass in a tree-trunk where a branch grows out. B round cross-grained piece in timber marking this. 7 central point in a problem etc. —v. (-tt-) 1 tie in a knot. 2 entangle. 3 unite closely. ~ at a rate of knots colloq. Very fast. Tie in knots colloq. Baffle or confuse completely. [old english]
Knot2 n. Small sandpiper. [origin unknown]
Knotgrass n. Wild plant with creeping stems and small pink flowers.
Knot-hole n. Hole in timber where a knot has fallen out.
Knotty adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 full of knots. 2 puzzling (knotty problem).
Know v. (past knew; past part. Known) 1 (often foll. By that, how, what, etc.) A have in the mind; have learnt; be able to recall (knows a lot about cars). B (also absol.) Be aware of (a fact) (i think he knows). C have a good command of (knew german; knows his tables).
Know-all n. Colloq. Person who claims or seems to know everything.
Know-how n. Practical knowledge; natural skill.
Knowing adj. 1 suggesting that one has inside information (a knowing look). 2 showing knowledge; shrewd.
Knowingly adv. 1 consciously; intentionally (wouldn't knowingly hurt him). 2 in a knowing manner (smiled knowingly).
Knowledge n. 1 a (usu. Foll. By of) awareness or familiarity (of or with a person or thing) (have no knowledge of that). B person's range of information. 2 a (usu. Foll. By of) understanding of a subject etc. (good knowledge of greek). B sum of what is known (every branch of knowledge). ~ to my knowledge as far as i know.
Knowledgeable adj. (also knowledgable) well-informed; intelligent. ~ knowledgeability n. Knowledgeably adv.
Known past part. Of +know.
Knuckle —n. 1 bone at a finger-joint, esp. That connecting the finger to the hand. 2 a knee- or ankle-joint of a quadruped. B this as a joint of meat, esp. Of bacon or pork. —v. (-ling) strike, press, or rub with the knuckles. ~ knuckle down (often foll. By to) 1 apply oneself seriously (to a task etc.). 2 (also knuckle under) give in; submit. [low german or dutch diminutive of knoke bone]
Knuckleduster n. Metal guard worn over the knuckles in fighting, esp. In order to inflict greater damage.
Knuckle sandwich n. Slang punch in the mouth.
Knurl n. Small projecting knob, ridge, etc. [low german or dutch]
Ko abbr. Knockout.
Koala n. (in full koala bear) small australian bearlike marsupial with thick grey fur. [aboriginal]
Kohl n. Black powder used as eye make-up, esp. In eastern countries. [arabic]
Kohlrabi n. (pl. -bies) cabbage with an edible turnip-like swollen stem. [german, from italian cavolo rapa]
Kola var. Of +cola.
Kolkhoz n. Collective farm in the ussr. [russian]
Koodoo var. Of +kudu.
Kook n. Us slang crazy or eccentric person. ~ kooky adj. (-ier, -iest). [probably from +cuckoo]
Kookaburra n. Australian kingfisher with a strange laughing cry. [aboriginal]
Kopek (also kopeck) var. Of +copeck.
Koppie n. (also kopje) s.afr. Small hill. [afrikaans koppie little head]
Koran n. Islamic sacred book. [arabic, = recitation]
Korean —n. 1 native or national of n. Or s. Korea. 2 language or korea. —adj. Of korea, its people, or language.
Kosher —adj. 1 (of food or a food-shop) fulfilling the requirements of jewish law. 2 colloq. Correct, genuine, legitimate. —n. Kosher food or shop. [hebrew, = proper]
Kowtow —n. Hist. Chinese custom of kneeling with the forehead touching the ground, esp. In submission. —v. 1 (usu. Foll. By to) act obsequiously. 2 hist. Perform the kowtow. [chinese, = knock the head]
K.p.h. Abbr. Kilometres per hour.
Kr symb. Krypton.
Kraal n. S.afr. 1 village of huts enclosed by a fence. 2 enclosure for cattle or sheep. [afrikaans from portuguese curral, of hottentot origin]
Kraut n. Slang offens. German. [shortening of +sauerkraut]
Kremlin n. 1 (the kremlin) a citadel in moscow. B russian government housed within it. 2 citadel within a russian town. [russian]
Krill n. Tiny planktonic crustaceans. [norwegian kril tiny fish]
Krona n. 1 (pl. Kronor) chief monetary unit of sweden. 2 (pl. Kronur) chief monetary unit of iceland. [swedish and icelandic, = +crown]
Krone n. (pl. Kroner) chief monetary unit of denmark and norway. [danish and norwegian, = +crown]
Krugerrand n. S. African gold coin. [kruger, name of a s. African statesman]
Krummhorn n. (also crumhorn) medieval wind instrument. [german]
Krypton n. Inert gaseous element used in fluorescent lamps etc. [greek krupto hide]
Kt. Abbr. Knight.
Kt. Abbr. Knot.
Ku symb. Kurchatovium.
Kudos n. Colloq. Glory; renown. [greek]
Kudu n. (also koodoo) (pl. Same or -s) african antelope with white stripes and corkscrew-shaped ridged horns. [xhosa]
Kufic (also cufic) —n. Early angular form of the arabic alphabet used esp. In decorative inscriptions. —adj. Of or in this script. [from kufa, city in iraq]
Ku klux klan n. Secret white racist society in the southern us. [origin uncertain]
Kümmel n. Sweet liqueur flavoured with caraway and cumin seeds. [german: related to +cumin]
Kumquat n. (also cumquat) 1 small orange-like fruit. 2 shrub or small tree yielding this. [chinese kin kü gold orange]
Kung fu n. Chinese form of karate. [chinese]
Kurchatovium n. = +rutherfordium. [kurchatov, name of a russian physicist]
Kv abbr. Kilovolt(s).
Kw abbr. Kilowatt(s).
Kwh abbr. Kilowatt-hour(s).
Kyle n. (in scotland) narrow channel, strait. [gaelic caol strait]
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| Online English Dictionary Free Words Starting with Letter K |
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