K.
For Greek words not found under this initial, see C.
Kalathos, Gr. (κάλαθος). Literally, made of wicker-work. A drinking-cup, so called because it resembled the wicker-work basket of the Greek women. It was usually furnished with a ring, through which a finger might be put in order to lift it. The word is also writtencalathos.
Kaleidoscope(καλὸς, beautiful;εἶδος, a form;σκοπέω, to see). An optical instrument invented in 1814 by Sir David Brewster, which by means of mirrors inserted in it exhibits repetitions of objects placed within it, in certain symmetrical combinations. There are several different kinds, calledpolycentral,tetrascopes,hexascopes,polyangular, &c., according to their construction.
Kang, Hind. A bracelet or ring;kang-doy, a bracelet for the wrist or arm;kang-cheung, a bracelet or ring worn by the Khmers above the ankle.
Kaolin.The name first applied by the Chinese to the fine white porcelain earth derived from the decomposition of the feldspathic granites; used for fine pottery.
Kayles(Fr.quilles). Modern ninepins, represented in MSS. of the 14th century.
Keepof a castle. TheDonjon(q.v.).
Keepingin a picture. Harmony and the proper subordination of parts.
Kendal.A kind of green woollen cloth or baize, first made at the town of Kendal, in Westmoreland; 16th century.
“Misbegotten knaves inKendal green.”(Shakspeare.)
“Misbegotten knaves inKendal green.”(Shakspeare.)
“Misbegotten knaves inKendal green.”(Shakspeare.)
“Misbegotten knaves inKendal green.”
(Shakspeare.)
Kerchief of Pleasaunce.An embroidered cloth worn by a knight for the sake of a lady, in his helmet, or, in later times, round his arm; which is the origin of crape being so worn for mourning.
“Moreore there is ykome into Enlond a knyght out of Spayne wyth a kercheff of plesunse i-wrapped about hys arme, the gwych knyght wyl renne a course wyth a sharpe spere for his sov’eyn lady sake.” (Paston Letters, vol. p. 6.)
KerchiefsorCoverchiefs(chief= the head), O. E. Head-cloths of fine linen worn by ladies.
Kermes(Arabic = little worm). An insect produced on theQuercus coccifera. The dead bodies of the female insect produce a fine scarlet dye stuff.
Kern.The Irish infantry were formerly so called.
Kersey.A coarse narrow woollen cloth; hence “Kersey-mere,” so called from themere(or miry brook) which runs through the village of Kersey in Suffolk, where this cloth was first made.
Kettle-drum.A drum with a body of brass.
Fig. 407. Kettle-hat.
Fig. 407. Kettle-hat.
Fig. 407. Kettle-hat.
Kettle-hat, O. E. The iron hat of a knight of the Middle Ages; also the leatherburgonetof the 15th century.
Kettle-pins, O. E. (SeeKayles.)
Key-note.In Music, the foundation or lowest note of the scale. Whatever note this is, theintervalsbetween the third and fourth notes, and between theseventhandeighthabove it, must besemi-tones.
Key-stone, Arch. The central stone of an arch.
Keys.In Christian art, the attribute of St. Peter, signifying his control over the entrances of Heaven and Hell; hence the insignia of the Papacy. They also denote,in heraldry, office in the State, such as that of chamberlain of the court.
Khan, Orient. The name used by Eastern nations to denote a caravanserai.
Kher, Egyp. The quarter of tombs; the whole number of burial-places orhypogæacollected together at one spot.
Fig. 408. Khmer Architecture. Base of a pillar in a Temple of Cambodia, showing the god Brahma with four faces.
Fig. 408. Khmer Architecture. Base of a pillar in a Temple of Cambodia, showing the god Brahma with four faces.
Fig. 408. Khmer Architecture. Base of a pillar in a Temple of Cambodia, showing the god Brahma with four faces.
Khmers, Hind. The ancient inhabitants of Cambodia, a territory in South-East Asia, who had attained a high stage of civilization, to judge by the artistic remains of the Khmer nation which survive.
Khopesh, Egyp. The dagger of the Egyptian kings; its curved blade bore some resemblance to the thigh of an ox, which was called in Egyptiankhopeshorkhopesk.
Kin-chung, Chinese. A golden bell.
King-fisher.(SeeHalcyon.)
King-post.The central upright post supporting the gable of a roof.
King’s Yellow.(SeeOrpiment.)
Kings of Arms.Officers of Heralds’ College. There are three—Garter,Clarenceux, andNorroy.
Kinnor, Heb. A stringed instrument of the Hebrews; it had eight, ten, or twenty-four strings, which were played either with the fingers or a plectrum.
Kinschall.A small curved Turkish dagger.
Kiosk,Kiosque. A Turkish pleasure-house.
Kircher,Kirchowe, O. E. A kerchief.
Kirtel, O. E. A loose gown, a tunic or waistcoat; also a monk’s gown.
Kiste, O. E. A chest.
Kistvaen, Celt. A Celtic monument more commonly known as aDolmen(q.v.).
Kit-cat.Canvas for portraits—28 or 29 inches by 36—of the size adopted by Sir Godfrey Kneller, in painting the portraits of the Kit-cat Club. The club had taken its name from Christopher Cat, a pastrycook, who supplied them at their meetings with mutton-pies. Addison, Steele, Walpole, Marlborough, and other staunch Whigs were the principal members. It dissolved about 1720.
Klaft, Egyp. A royal head-dress of striped cloth forming a kind of hood, and terminating in two flaps which fall over the breast. A great many Egyptian statues are represented with theklaft. It is suggested by M. Soldi that the invention of this ornament was for the purpose of strengthening the figure, by avoiding the thinness of the shape of the neck.
Knapsack.A case for a foot-soldier’s stores, carried at the back.Knapmeans a protuberance.
Knife, Chr. (SeeFlaying-knife.) This is also the attribute of Sts. Agatha, Albert, and Christina; and a sacrificing-knife of St. Zadkiel the Angel.
Knighthood.The principal English orders are of theGarter, established 1343, and theBathshortly afterwards; ofSt. Patrickfor Ireland, established in 1783; and theOrder of the Thistle, at least as ancient as Robert II. of Scotland. There is a French order of theThistle, founded in 1463; but the most ancient French order is theGennet, in 706. In France are also the orders ofSt. Micheland ofSt. Louis; but these French orders are now all superseded by the Legion of Honour. [SeeAn Accurate Historical Account of all the Orders of Knighthood.]
Knight-service, O. E. A tenure of lands formerly held by knights, on condition of performing military service
Knol, Hind. A road or high road which frequently passes over very low bridges.
Knop, O. E. A button.
Knop,Knob, Arch. A boss.
Fig. 409. ArchitecturalKnoporBoss.
Fig. 409. ArchitecturalKnoporBoss.
Fig. 409. ArchitecturalKnoporBoss.
Knop and Flower Pattern.An ornament of remote antiquity, original basis of a great branch of decorative art in all nations, common on early Indian monuments, and with different variations in the art of Assyria, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The variations are regulated according to the flora of the various countries, theknop(or bud) andflowerbeing always the radical idea.