Etymologies: K

388 word origins.

Kaaba: [Ar. ka'bah, lit., a square building, fr. ka'b cube.]
Kabyle: [Ar. qabīla.]
Kadder: [Cf. Caddow.]
Kaffir: [Ar. kāfir infidel, pagan, fr. kafara to be skeptical in religious matters; -- a name given to certain infidel races by the Muslims. Cf. Giaour.]
Kafkaesque: [fr. Franz Kafka, novelist; especially from his novels such as "The Trial".]
Kahau: [Native name, from its cry.]
Kainit: [Trade name, fr. kainite.]
Kainite: [Gr. recent.]
Kaiser: [Gr., fr. L. Caesar. Cf. Kesar, and Czar.]
Kaka: [Maori kaka a parrot; -- so named from its note.]
Kakistocracy: [Gr. ka`kistos worst + kratei^n to rule.]
Kale: [Scot. kale, kail, cale, colewort, Gael. cael; akin to Ir. cal, W. cawl, Armor. kaol. See Cole.]
Kaleidophon: [Gr. beautiful + appearance, form + sound.]
Kaleidoscope: [Gr. beautiful + e'i^dos form + -scope.]
Kali: [Skr. kali.]
Kali: [Skr. kālī.]
Kali: [Ar. qali. See Alkali.]
Kaliform: [Kali + -form.]
Kaligenous: [Kali + -genous. See Alkali.]
Kalium: [NL. See Kali.]
Kalki: [Skr.]
Kalmia: [NL. Named in honor of Peter Kalm, a Swedish botanist.]
Kalpa: [Skr.]
Kam: [From Celtic; cf. Gael., Ir., & W. cam. Cf. Jamb, n.]
Kama: [Skr. kāma love, the god of love.]
Kami: [Japanese, god.]
Kamptulicon: [Gr. to bend + material, fr. wood, matter.]
Kampylite: [Gr. bent, curved, fr. to bend.]
Kamsin: [Ar. khamsīn, fr. khamsūn, oblique case khamsīn, fifty; -- so called because it blows for about fifty days, from April till June.]
Kamtschadales: [from the older spelling Kamtschatka for Kamchatka.]
Kanacka: [Native name, prop., a man.]
kanchil: [Malay canchīl.]
kangaroo: [Said to be the native name.]
Kaolin: [Chin. kao-ling.]
Kapelle: [G.]
Kapellmeister: [G.]
Kapia: [Native name.]
Kapok: [Prob. fr. the native name.]
Karagane: [Russ. karagan']
Karaite: [Heb. qārā to read.]
Karakul: [Russ. karakul' curly fleece of Bokhara and Khiva sheep.]
karate: [Japanese, empty hand.]
Karma: [Skr.]
Karn: [Cornish. Cf. Cairn.]
Karob: [Cf. Carat.]
Kaross: [Native name.]
Karpholite: [Gr. rice straw + -lite: cf. F. carpholithe.]
Karyokinesis: [NL., fr. Gr. ka`ryon a nut, kernel + kinei^n to move.]
Karyomiton: [NL., Gr. ka`ryon a nut + mi`tos a thread.]
karyoplasm: [NL., fr. Gr. ka`ryon a nut + pla`sma a thing molded.]
Karyostenosis: [NL., fr. Gr. ka`ryon a nut, kernel + a being straitened.]
Katabolism: [Gr. down + to throw.]
Katastate: [Gr. down + to cause to stand.]
Kathetal: [Gr. a perpendicular line. See Cathetus.]
Kauri: [Native name.]
Kava: [Polynesian.]
Kavass: [Turk. kāvvās]
Kayles: [Akin to Dan. kegle, Sw. kegla, D. & G. kegel, OHG. kegil, whence F. quille.]
Kaynard: [F. cagnard.]
kazoo: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Kea: [Maori.]
Keck: [Cf. dial. G. köcken, köken.]
Kecklish: [From keck, keckle.]
Kecksy: [Properly pl. of kex. See Kex.]
Keddah: [Malay kedah, fr. Ar. qadah hole.]
Kedge: [Cf. dial. Sw. keka to tug, to drag one's self slowly forward; or perh. fr. ked, and kedge, n., for keg anchor, named from the keg or cask fastened to the anchor to show where it lies.]
Kedge: [See Kedge, v. t.]
Kedlock: [Cf. dial. G. köddik, küdik, kettich, keek, Dan. kidike, E. charlock, and AS. cedelc the herb mercury.]
Kee: [AS. cȳ, pl. of cū cow. See Kine.]
Keech: [Cf. Prov. E. keech a cake.]
Keel: [AS. cēlan to cool, fr. cōl cool. See Cool.]
Keel: [Cf. AS. ceól ship; akin to D. & G. kiel keel, OHG. chiol ship, Icel. kjōll, and perh. to Gr. gay^los a round-built Phœnician merchant vessel, gaylo`s bucket; cf. Skr. gōla ball, round water vessel. But the meaning of the English word seems to come from Icel. kjölr keel, akin to Sw. köl, Dan. kjöl.]
Keelage: [Cf. F. guillage, fr. guille keel; of German or Scand origin. See 3d Keel.]
Keeler: [See 3d Keel.]
Keelfat: [Keel to cool + fat a large tub, a vat.]
Keelhaul: [3d keel + haul: cf. LG. & D. kielhalen, G. kielholen. ]
Keeling: [Cf. Icel. keila, Sw. kolja, Dan. kulle.]
Keelivine: [Cf. Gael. cil ruddle.]
Keelson: [Akin to Sw. kölsvin, Dan. kjölsviin, G. kielschwein; apparently compounded of the words keel and swine; but cf. Norweg. kjölsvill, where svill is akin to E. sill, n. ]
Keen: [OE. kene sharp, bold, AS. cēne bold; akin to D. koen, OHG. kuoni, G. kühn, OSw. kyn, kön, Icel. kænn, for kœnn wise; perh. akin to E. ken, can to be able. √45.]
Keen: [Ir. caoine.]
Keep: [OE. kēpen, AS. cēpan to keep, regard, desire, await, take, betake; cf. AS. copenere lover, OE. copnien to desire.]
Keeve: [AS. cf, fr. L. cupa a tub, cask; also, F. cuve. Cf. Kive, Coop.]
Keg: [Earlier cag, Icel. kaggi; akin to Sw. kagge.]
Keitloa: [Native name.]
Keld: [Cf. Cavl.]
Kele: [See Keel to cool.]
Kell: [A modification of kale.]
Kell: [Cf. Caul.]
Keloid: [F. kéloïde, from Gr. clh` crab's claw + -oid: cf. F. kéloïde, chéloïde.]
Kelp: [Formerly kilpe; of unknown origin.]
Kelpie: [Cf. Gael. cailpeach, calpach, colpach, a heifer, steer, colt, colpa a cow or horse.]
Kelt: [Cf. Icel. kult quilt.]
Kelter: [Cf. Gael. & Ir. cealt clothes, Gael. cealltair spear, castle, cause, Prov. E. kilter tool, instrument. Cf. Kilt.]
Kelvin: [from Lord Kelvin, English physicist.]
Kemb: [OE. kemben, AS. cemban, fr. camb comb.]
Kemelin: [Cf. Prov. E. kemlin, kimlin, kimmel, a salting tub, any tub, kembing a brewing tub, G. kumme bowl, basin, W. cwmman a tub, brewing tub.]
Kemps: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Ken: [Perh. from kennel.]
Ken: [OE. kennen to teach, make known, know, AS. cennan to make known, proclaim, or rather from the related Icel. kenna to know; akin to D. & G. kennen to know, Goth. kannjan to make known; orig., a causative corresponding to AS. cunnan to know, Goth. kunnan. √45. See Can to be able, Know.]
Kennel: [See Channel, Canal.]
Kennel: [OE. kenel, (assumed) OF. kenil, F. chenil, LL. canile, fr. L. canis a dog. Cf. Canine.]
Kenning: [See Ken, v. t.]
Keno: [F. quine five winning numbers, fr. L. quini five each, quinque five. See Five.]
Kenogenesis: [Gr. new + E. genesis.]
Kent bugle: [Probably named after a Duke of Kent.]
Kentle: [From Quintal.]
Kentledge: [OF. cant edge, corner, D. kant. See Cant edge, angle.]
kephalin: [Gr. kefalh` the head; it was supposed by Thudichum to exist in brain tissue.]
kepi: [F. képi, of G. origin.]
Keramographic: [Gr. ke`ramos tile + graph + ic.]
Kerasine: [Gr. ke`ras horn.]
keratin: [Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn.]
Keratitis: [NL., fr. Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn + -itis.]
Keratogenous: [Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn + -genous.]
Keratoidea: [NL., from Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn + -oid.]
Keratome: [Gr. ke`ras, horn + to cut.]
Keratonyxis: [Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn + puncture.]
Keratophyte: [Gr. ke`ras, -atos, a horn + a plant.]
Keratosa: [NL., fr. Gr. ke`ras, -atos, a horn.]
Keratose: [Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn.]
Keraunograph: [Gr. thunderbolt + graph.]
Kerchief: [OE. coverchef, OF. cuevrechief, couvrechef, F. couvrechef, a head covering, fr. couvrir to cover + OF. chief head, F. chef. See Cover, Chief, and cf. Curfew.]
Kerf: [AS. cyrf a cutting off, fr. ceorfan to cut, carve. See Carve.]
Kerite: [Gr. ke`ras, horn.]
Kermes: [Ar. & Per. girmiz. See Crimson, and cf. Alkermes.]
Kermesse: [F.]
Kern: [Ir. ceatharnach.Cf. Cateran. ]
Kern: [See Churn. ]
Kern: [AS. cweorn, cwyrn. See Quern. ]
Kern: [Cf. G. kern kernel, grain; akin to E. corn. See Corn, Kernel. ]
Kern: [Cf. D. & G. kern kernal, E. kern to harden, kernel.]
Kernel: [OE. kernel, kirnel, curnel, AS. cyrnel, fr. corn grain. See Corn, and cf. Kern to harden.]
Kernish: [From Kern a boor.]
Kerosene: [Gr. wax.]
Kersey: [Prob. from the town of Kersey in Suffolk, Eng.]
Kerseymere: [For cassimere, confounded with kersey.]
Keslop: [AS. cēselib, or cȳslyb, milk curdled; cf. G. käselab, käselippe. See Cheese, and cf.Cheeselep.]
Kestrel: [See Castrel.]
Ket: [Icel. kjöt flesh; akin to Sw. kött, Dan. kjöd.]
Keta: [Perh. of Amer. Indian origin.]
Ketch: [Prob. corrupted fr. Turk. qāīq : cf. F. caiche. Cf. Caïque.]
Ketch: [See Catch.]
ketchup: [Probably of East Indian origin, because it was originally a kind of East Indian pickles. Cf. also Malay kĕchap fish sauce. MW10.]
Ketine: [See Ketone.]
Ketol: [Ketone + indol.]
Ketone: [Cf. Acetone.]
Kettle: [OE. ketel; cf. AS. cetel, cetil, cytel; akin to D. kjedel, G. kessel, OHG. chezzil, Icel. ketill, SW. kittel, Dan. kjedel, Goth. katils; all perh. fr. L. catillus, dim. of catinus a deep vessel, bowl; but cf. also OHG. chezzī kettle, Icel. kati small ship.]
Keuper: [G.]
Kevel: [Prov. E. kevil, cavel, rod, pole, a large hammer, horse's bit; cf. Icel. kefli cylinder, a stick, mangle, and Dan. kievle a roller.]
Kex: [W. cecys, pl., hollow stalks.]
Key: [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. cæg.]
Keyage: [OF. caiage, F. guayage. See 1st Key, Quay.]
Khaki: [Hind. khākī, lit., dusty, dust-colored, fr. Per. khāk dust.]
Khan: [Pers. & Tart. khān.]
Khan: [Per. khān, khānah, house, tent, inn.]
Khedive: [F. khédive, Pers. khediw a prince.]
Khutbah: [Ar.]
kibbutz: [Modern Hebrew kibbutz gathering.]
kibbutznik: [kibbutz + -nik.]
Kibe: [W. cib + gwst pain, sickness.]
Kibitka: [Russ.]
Kick: [W. cicio, fr. cic foot.]
Kickshaws: [Corrupt. fr. F. quelque chose something, fr. L. qualis of what kind (akin to E. which) + suffix -guam + causa cause, in LL., a thing. See Which, and Cause.]
Kid: [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. kið, Dan. & Sw. kid; akin to OHG. kizzi, G. kitz, kitzchen, kitzlein.]
Kid: [Cf. W. cidysen.]
Kiddier: [Cf. OSw. kyta to truck.]
Kiddle: [Cf. LL. kidellus, Armor. kiāel]
Kidling: [Kid + -ling: cf. Sw. kidling.]
Kidnap: [Kid a child + Prov. E. nap to seize, to grasp. Cf. Knab, Knap, Nab.]
Kidney: [OE. kidnei, kidnere, from Icel. koiðr belly, womb (akin to Goth. gipus, AS. cwiþ womb) + OE. nere kidney; akin to D. nier, G. niere, OHG. nioro, Icel. nȳra, Dan. nyre, Sw. njure, and probably to Gr. nefro`s Cf. Kite belly.]
Kie: [Cf. Kee.]
Kiefekil: [Per. keff foam, scum + gil clay, mud.]
Kier: [Icel. ker a tub.]
Kieselguhr: [G., fr. kiesel flint + guhr an earthy deposit or sediment in water.]
Kieserite: [Named after Prof. Kieser, of Jena.]
Kike: [Cf. D. kijken, Sw. kika.]
Kilderkin: [OD. kindeken, kinneken, a small barrel, orig., a little child, fr. kind child; akin to G. kind, and to E. kin.]
Kilerg: [Kilo- + erg.]
Kill: [D. kil.]
Kill: [OE. killen, kellen, cullen, to kill, strike; perh. the same word as cwellen, quellen, to kill (cf. Quell), or perh. rather akin to Icel. kolla to hit in the head, harm, kollr top, summit, head, Sw. kulle, D. kollen to kill with the ax.]
Killdee: [So named from its notes.]
Killesse: [Cf. Coulisse.]
Killock: [Cf. Scot. killick “the flue [fluke] of an anchor.” Jamieson.]
Killow: [Prov. E. kollow the smut or grime on the backs of chimneys.]
Kiln: [OE. kilne, kulne, AS. cyln, cylen; akin to Icel. kylna; prob. from the same source as coal. See Coal.]
Kilo: [F.]
Kilo-: [F. kilo-. See Kilogram.]
Kilogram: [F. kilogramme; pref. kilo- (fr. Gr. ci`lioi a thousand ) + gramme. See 3d Gram.]
Kiloliter: [F. kilolitre. See Kilogram, and Liter.]
Kilometer: [F. kilometre. See Kilogram, and Meter.]
Kilostere: [F. kilostere. See Kilogram, and Stere.]
Kilovolt: [Kilo- + volt.]
Kilowatt: [See Kilogram and Watt.]
Kilt: [OGael. cealt clothes, or rather perh. fr. Dan. kilte op to truss, tie up, tuck up.]
kilter: [Cf. Gael. & Ir. cealt clothes, Gael. cealltair spear, castle, cause, Prov. E. kilter tool, instrument. Cf. Kilt.]
Kimbo: [Cf. Akimbo.]
kimono: [Jap., article of clothing, fr. ki to wear + mono thing.]
Kin: [OE. kin, cun, AS. cynn kin, kind, race, people; akin to cennan to beget, D. kunne sex, OS. & OHG. kunni kin, race, Icel. kyn, Goth. kuni, G. & D. kind a child, L. genus kind, race, L. gignere to beget, Gr. gi`gnesqai to be born, Skr. jan to beget. √44. Cf. Kind, King, Gender kind, Nation.]
Kin: [Gr. kinei^n to move.]
Kinate: [Cf. F. kinate. ]
Kind: [AS. cynde, gecynde, natural, innate, prop. an old p. p. from the root of E. kin. See Kin kindred.]
Kind: [OE. kinde, cunde, AS. cynd. See Kind, a.]
Kind: [See Kin.]
Kindergarten: [G., lit., children's garden; kinder (pl. of kind child, akin to E. kin kindred) + garten garden.]
Kindle: [OE. kindlen, cundlen. See Kind.]
Kindle: [Icel. kyndill candle, torch; prob. fr. L. candela; cf. also Icel. kynda to kindle. Cf. Candle.]
Kindly: [AS. cyndelic. See Kind, n. ]
Kindness: [From Kind. a.]
Kindred: [OE. kinrede, kynrede, kunreden (with excrescent d), fr. AS. cynn kin, race + the termination -rǣden, akin to AS. rǣdan to advise, G. rathen. Cf. Hatred.]
Kine: [For older kyen, formed like oxen, fr. AS. cȳ, itself pl. of cū cow. See Cow, and cf. Kee, Kie.]
Kinematics: [Gr. , motion, fr. kinei^n to move.]
Kinesiatrics: [Gr. motion (fr. kinei^n to move) + pertaining to medicine, fr. a physician.]
Kinesipathy: [Gr. motion + pa`qos suffering.]
Kinesitherapy: [Gr. motion + to heal.]
Kinesodic: [Gr. motion + way: cf. F. kinésodigue.]
Kinetic: [Gr. kinhtiko`s, from kinei^n to move.]
kinetogenesis: [Gr. kinhto`s movable + E. genesis.]
kinetograph: [Gr. movable + -graph.]
kinetophone: [See Kinetic, Phone.]
kinetoscope: [Gr. kinhto`s movable + -scope.]
Kinetoscope: [Originally a tradename, 1894.]
King: [AS. cyng, cyning; akin to OS. kuning, D. koning, OHG. kuning, G. könig, Icel. konungr, Sw. konung, Dan. konge; formed with a patronymic ending, and fr. the root of E. kin; cf. Icel. konr a man of noble birth. √44. See Kin.]
Kingdom: [AS. cyningdōm. See 2d King, and -dom.]
Kinic: [Cf. F. kinique.]
Kinit: [Gr. kinei^n to move.]
Kink: [D. kink a bend or turn, or Sw. kink.]
Kink: [Cf. Chincough, Kink-haust.]
Kinkajou: [F. kinkajou, quincajou, from the native American name.]
Kinkhaust: [Prov. E. kink to gasp (cf. Chin cough) + haust a cough (akin to E. wheeze).]
Kinnikinic: [Indian, literally, a mixture.]
Kinology: [Gr. kinei^n to move + -logy.]
Kinæsthesia: [NL., fr. Gr. kinei^n to move + perception.]
Kiosk: [Turk. kiushk, kiöshk, Per. kshk.]
Kip: [Cf. G. kippe.]
Kipe: [Cf. OE. kipen to catch, Icel. kippa to pull, snatch. Cf. Kipper.]
Kipper: [D. kippen to hatch, snatch, seize. Cf. Kipe.]
Kipskin: [Kip + skin.]
Kirk: [Scot.; cf. Icel. kirkja, of Greek origin. See Church.]
Kirked: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Kirmess: [D. kermis; cf. G. kirmes; prop., church mass. See Church, and Mass a religious service.]
Kirschwasser: [G., fr. kirsche cherry + wasser water.]
Kirsome: [Corrupted from chrisom.]
Kirtle: [OE. kirtel, curtel, AS. cyrtel; skin to Icel. kyrtill, Sw. kjortel, Dan. kiortel, kiole.]
Kish: [Cf. G. kies gravel, pyrites.]
Kislev: [Heb.]
Kismet: [Per. qismat.]
Kiss: [OE. kissen, cussen, AS. cyssan, fr. coss a kiss; of uncertain origin; akin to D. kus, G. kuss, Icel. koss.]
Kiss: [OE. kiss, derived under the influence of the verb from the older form coss, AS. coss. See Kiss, v.]
Kist: [See Chest.]
Kist: [Ar. gist.]
kistvaen: [W. cist-faen.]
kit: [See Kitten.]
Kit: [Gf. AS. cytere harp, L. cithara. Cf. Guitar.]
Kit: [Cf. D. kit a large bottle, OD. kitte beaker, decanter.]
Kitchen: [OE. kichen, kichene, kuchene, AS. cycene, L. coquina, equiv. to culina a kitchen, fr. coquinus pertaining to cooking, fr. coquere to cook. See Cook to prepare food, and cf. Cuisine.]
Kitchen middens: [Dan. kjök-kenmöddings kitchen leavings; cf. Scot. midden a dunghill.]
Kitchenette: [Kitchen + -ette.]
Kite: [OE. kyte, AS. cȳta; cf. W. cud, cut.]
Kith: [OE. kith, cuð, AS. cȳððe, cȳð, native land, fr. cūð known. √45. See Uncouth, Can, and cf. Kythe.]
Kitling: [Kit a kitten + -ling: cf. Icel. ketlingr.]
Kitten: [OE. kiton, a dim. of cat; cf. G. kitze a young cat, also a female cat, and F. chaton, dim. of chat cat, also E. kitling. See Cat.]
Kittle: [Cf. Kit a kitten.]
Kittle: [Cf. AS. citelian; akin to D. kittelen, G. kitzeln, Icel. kitla, Sw. kittla, kittsla, Dan. kildre. Cf. Tickle.]
Kittysol: [Sp. quitasol.]
Kiva: [Hopi name, sacred chamber.]
Kjoekken moeddings: [Dan.]
Kleeneboc: [D. kleen little, small + bok buck.]
Kleenex: [Trademark]
Kleptomania: [Gr. kle`pths thief + E. mania.]
Klicket: [Cf. Clicket.]
Klipdas: [D. klip cliff + das badger, akin to G. dachs.]
Klipspringer: [D., lit., cliff springer.]
Kloof: [D. See Clove a cleft.]
Klopemania: [Gr. kloph` theft + E. mania.]
Knab: [See Nab, v. t., and cf. Knap, v. t.]
Knabble: [Freq. of knab.]
Knack: [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. G. knacken to break, Dan. knage to crack, and E. knock.]
Knacker: [Cf. Icel. hnakkr a saddle.]
Knag: [Cf. Prov. G. knagge a knot in wood, Sw. knagg, Dan. knag a hook to hand clothes on, a bracket; Gael. & Ir. cnag peg, knob.]
Knap: [AS. cnæp, cnæpp, top, knob, button; cf. Icel. knappr knob, Sw. knapp, Dan. knap button, W., Gael., & Ir. cnap knob, button, and E. knop.]
Knap: [D. knappen to chew, bite, crack, take hold of; prob. of imitative origin.]
Knappish: [See Knap to strike.]
Knapple: [Freq. of knap, v., cf. D. knabbelen to gnaw.]
Knapsack: [D. knapzak; knappen to eat + zak a bag. See Knap, v. t., and Sack.]
Knave: [OE., boy, servant, knave, AS. cnafa boy, youth; cf. AS. cnapa boy, youth, D. knaap, G. knabe boy, knappe esquire, Icel. knapi, Sw. knape esquire, knäfvel knave.]
Knawel: [Akin to G. knauelk, knäuel, prop., a ball of thread, coil. Cf. Clew.]
Knead: [OE. kneden, As. cnedan; akin to D. kneden, G. kneten, Sw. knåda, Icel. knoða; cf. OSlav. gnesti.]
Knebelite: [From Major von Knebel.]
Kneck: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Knee: [OE. kne, cneo, As. cneó, cneów; akin to OS. knio, kneo, OFries. knī, G. & D. knie, OHG. chniu, chneo, Icel. knē, Sw. knä, Dan. knæ, Goth. kniu, L. genu, Gr. go`ny, Skr. jānu, √231. Cf. Genuflection.]
Kneel: [OE. knelen, cneolien; akin to D. knielen, Dan. knæle. See Knee.]
Knell: [OE. knel, cnul, AS. cnyll, fr. cnyllan to sound a bell; cf. D. & G. knallen to clap, crack, G. & Sw. knall a clap, crack, loud sound, Dan. knalde to clap, crack. Cf. Knoll, n. & v.]
Knell: [OE. knellen, knillen, As. cnyllan. See Knell, n.]
Knicker: [D. knikker.]
Knickerbocker: [From Diedrich KNickerbocker, the fictional author of The History of New York, in fact written by Washington Irving.]
Knickknack: [See Knack.]
Knife: [OE. knif, AS. cnīf; akin to D. knijf, Icel. knīfr, Sw. knif, Dan. kniv.]
Knight: [OE. knight, cniht, knight, soldier, AS. cniht, cneoht, a boy, youth, attendant, military follower; akin to D. & G. knecht servant; perh. akin to E. kin.]
Knighthood: [Knight + hood: cf. AS. chihthād youth.]
Knightly: [AS. cnihtlic boyish.]
Knit: [OE. knitten, knutten, As. cnyttan, fr. cnotta knot; akin to Icel. knȳta, Sw. knyta, Dan. knytte. See Knot.]
Knitch: [Cf. Knit.]
Knits: [Prob. same word as nit a louse's egg.]
Knittle: [From Knit.]
Knob: [A modification of knop. Cf. Nob.]
Knobby: [From Knob.]
knobkerrie: [Boer D. knopkirie, fr. D. knop-hout, knotty stick + Hottentot kïrri club.]
Knock: [OE. knoken, AS. cnocian, cnucian; prob. of imitative origin; cf. Sw. knacka. Cf. Knack.]
Knoll: [AS. cnoll; akin to G. knolle, knollen, clod, lump, knob, bunch, OD. knolle ball, bunch, Sw. knöl, Dan. knold.]
Knoll: [OE. knollen, AS. cnyllan. See Knell.]
Knop: [OE. knop, knoppe; cf. D. knop, knoop, G. knopf, Dan. knap, knop, Sw. knapp, knopp, button, bud, Icel. knappr, and E. knap, n. Cf. Knap, Knob.]
Knoppern: [Cf. G. knopper. See Knop.]
Knosp: [Cf. G. knospe bud, E. knop, knar.]
Knot: [OE. knot, knotte, AS. cnotta; akin to D. knot, OHG. chnodo, chnoto, G. knoten, Icel. knūtr, Sw. knut, Dan. knude, and perh. to L. nodus. Cf. Knout, Knit.]
Knottiness: [From Knotty.]
Knout: [Russ. knut'; prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. knut knot, knout, Icel. knūtr knot: cf. F. knout. See Knot.]
Know: [OE. knowen, knawen, AS. cnäwan; akin to OHG. chnäan (in comp.), Icel. knä to be able, Russ. znate to know, L. gnoscere, noscere, Gr. gighw`skein, Skr. jnā; fr. the root of E. can, v. i., ken. √45. See Ken, Can to be able, and cf. Acquaint, Cognition, Gnome, Ignore, Noble, Note.]
Knowledge: [OE. knowlage, knowlege, knowleche, knawleche. The last part is the Icel. suffix -leikr, forming abstract nouns, orig. the same as Icel. leikr game, play, sport, akin to AS. lāc, Goth. laiks dance. See Know, and cf. Lake, v. i., Lark a frolic.]
Knuckle: [OE. knokel, knokil, AS. cuncel; akin to D. knokkel, OFries. knokele, knokle, G. knöchel, Sw. knoge, Dan. knokkel, G. knochen bone, and perh. to E. knock.]
Knuff: [Cf. Gnof a churl.]
Knur: [See Knurl.]
Knurl: [See Knar, Gnar.]
Knurly: [See Knur, and cf. Gnarly.]
Kobellite: [From Franz von Kobell, of Munich.]
Kobold: [G., perh. orig., house god, hose protector. See Cobalt]
KO'd: [from KO, v. t.]
Kodachrome: [A trademark.]
Kodak: [An invented name.]
Koel: [Native name in India.]
Koff: [D. kof.]
Koftgari: [Hind. koft garï goldbeating. fr. Per. koft beating + garï trade.]
Kohinoor: [Per. koh-i-nūr, lit., mountain of light.]
Kohl: [See Alcohol.]
Kohl-rabi: [G. Cf. Cole, Rape the plant.]
Kolinsky: [Russ. kolinski of Kola, a district in northeasten Russia where the finest minks abound.]
kolkhoz: [Russian, concatenated from kollektivnoye khozyaistvo, collective farm.]
Koluschan: [From Russ. kalyushka piece of wood (worn in the nether lip).]
Komenic: [Prob. G. mekonin (by transposition of letters) + -ic.]
Konseal: [Prob. formed from conceal.]
Kop: [South Afr. D., fr. D. kop head, akin to G. kopf and prob. to E. cop top.]
kopeck: [Russ. kopeika.]
kopje: [South African D., dim. of kop. See Kop.]
Koran: [Ar. qorān; with the Ar. article, Alkoran, Alcoran; = Turk. Pers. qurân, from Ar. quran, qoran, book, reading, from qârâ, read. See Alcoran.]
Korinthos: [Greek.]
Korrigum: [Native name.]
Kosher: [heb. koshër fit, proper.]
Kotow: [Chinese, knock head.]
Koulan: [Native name.]
Koumiss: [Russ. kumys; of Mongolian origin.]
Képviselöház: [Hung., fr. képviselö representative + ház house.]
Kraal: [D., a village, inclosure, park, prob. fr. Pg. curral a cattle pen; the same word as Sp. corral. See Corral.]
Krait: [Native name.]
Kraken: [Prob. from OSw. krake, or ODan. krage the trunk of a tree, the branches of which are not entirely cut off, to which it was likened by the Norwegian mariners.]
Krameria: [NL. So called after the German botanists, J. G. H. Kramer & W. H. Kramer.]
Krang: [Cf. D. kreng a carcass.]
Kremlin: [Russ. kremle.]
Kreutzer: [G. kreuzer.]
Kriegsspiel: [G., fr. krieg war + spiel play.]
Krishna: [Skr. kṛshṇa ' The black.'.]
Kritarchy: [Gr. krith`s judge + 'arch` beginning, government.]
Krone: [Dan.]
Krummhorn: [G. krummhorn cornet; krumm crooked + horn horn.]
Krypton: [NL., fr. Gr. krypto`n, neut. of krypto`s hidden.]
Kshatriya: [Skr. kshatriya one belonging to the military caste.]
Kudos: [NL., fr. Gr. ky^dos glory.]
Kukang: [Native name.]
Kulturkampf: [G., fr. kultur, cultur, culture + kampf fight.]
Kummel: [G. kümmel cumin, caraway seed, L. cuminum. Cf. Cumin.]
kumquat: [Chin. kin keu.]
Kupfernickel: [G. See Copper, and Nickel.]
kurchatovium: [From Igor Kurchatov, a Russian scientist who worked on the atomic bomb.]
Kuro-Siwo: [Jap. kuroshio; kuro black + shio tide.]
Kursaal: [G.]
Kuskus: [Per. & Hind. khaskhas.]
kvass: [Russ. kvas'.]
Kyanize: [From Mr. Kyan, the inventor of the process.]
Kyanol: [See Cyanite.]
Kyke: [See 1st Kike.]
Kymograph: [Gr. wave + -graph.]
Kynurenic: [Gr. , , dog + urine.]
Kyrie eleison: [Gr. ky`rie 'elei^son .]
Kyrielle: [Cf. F. kyrielle.]
Kyriolexy: [Gr. , . See Curiologic.]
Kyriological: [See Curiologic.]
Kythe: [OE. kythen, kithen, cuðen, to make known, AS. cȳðan, fr. cūð known. √45. See Uncouth, Can to be able, and cf. Kith.]
Kytomiton: [NL., from Gr. ky`tos a hollow vessel + mi`tos a thread.]
Kytoplasma: [NL., fr. Gr. ky`tos a hollow vessel + pla`sma thing molded.]