Defn: Applied to a variety of tumor forming hard, flat, irregular excrescences upon the skin. — n.
Defn: A keloid tumor.
KELOTOMYKe*lot"o*my, n. (Med.)
Defn: See Celotomy.
KELPKelp, n. Etym: [Formerly kilpe; of unknown origin.]
1. The calcined ashes of seaweed, — formerly much used in the manufacture of glass, now used in the manufacture of iodine.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Any large blackish seaweed.
Note: Laminaria is the common kelp of Great Britain; Macrocystis pyrifera and Nereocystis Lutkeana are the great kelps of the Pacific Ocean. Kelp crab (Zoöl.), a California spider crab (Epialtus productus), found among seaweeds, which it resembles in color. — Kelp salmon (Zoöl.), a serranoid food fish (Serranus clathratus) of California. See Cabrilla.
KELPFISHKelp"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small California food fish (Heterostichus rostratus), living among kelp. The name is also applied to species of the genus Platyglossus.
KELPIE; KELPYKel"pie, Kel"py, n.; pl. Kelpies. Etym: [Cf. Gael. cailpeach,calpach, colpach, a heifer, steer, colt, colpa a cow or horse.](Scotch Myth.)
Defn: An imaginary spirit of the waters, horselike in form, vulgarly believed to warn, by preternatural noises and lights, those who are to be drowned. Jamieson.
KELPWAREKelp"ware`, n.
Defn: Same as Kelp, 2.
KELSONKel"son, n.
Defn: See Keelson. Sir W. Raleigh.
KELTKelt, n.
Defn: See Kilt, n. Jamieson.
KELTKelt, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. kult quilt.]
Defn: Cloth with the nap, generally of native black wool. [Scot.]Jamieson.
KELTKelt, n.
Defn: A salmon after spawning. [Scot.]
KELTKelt, n.
Defn: Same as Celt, one of Celtic race.
KELTER Kel"ter, n. Etym: [Cf. Gael. & Ir. cealt clothes, Gael. cealltair spear, castle, cause, Prov. E. kilter tool, instrument. Cf. Kilt.]
Defn: Regular order or proper condition. [Written also kilter.][Colloq.]If the organs of prayer be out of kelter or out of tune, how can wepray Barrow.
KELTICKelt"ic, a. & n.
Defn: Same as Celtic, a. & n.
KEMBKemb, n. t. [imp. & p. p. Kembed or Kempt (p. pr. & vb. n. Kembing.]Etym: [OE.kemben, AS. cemban, fr. camb comb.]
Defn: To comb. [Obs.]His longe hair was kembed behind his back. Chaucer.
KEMELIN Kem"e*lin, n. Etym: [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.]
Defn: A tub; a brewer's vessel. [Obs.] Chaucer.
KEMP; KEMPTYKemp, Kemp"ty, n.
Defn: Coarse, rough hair wool or fur, injuring its quality.
KEMPEKem"pe, a.
Defn: Rough; shaggy. [Obs.] "Kempe hairs." Chaucer.
KEMPSKemps, n. pl. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.)
Defn: The long flower stems of the ribwort plantain (PlantagoLanceolata). Dr. Prior.
KEMPTKempt,
Defn: p. p. of Kemb. B. Jonson.
KENKen, n. Etym: [Perh. from kennel.]
Defn: A house; esp., one which is a resort for thieves. [Slang, Eng.]
KEN Ken, n. t. [imp. & p. p. Kenned; p. pr. & vb. n. Kenning.] Etym: [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. sq. root45. See Can to be able, Know.]
1. To know; to understand; to take cognizance of. [Archaic or Scot.]
2. To recognize; to descry; to discern. [Archaic or Scot.] "We ken them from afar." Addison 'T is he. I ken the manner of his gait. Shak.
KENKen, v. i.
Defn: To look around. [Obs.] Burton.
KENKen, n.
Defn: Cognizance; view; especially, reach of sight or knowledge."Beyond his ken." Longfellow.Above the reach and ken of a mortal apprehension. South.It was relief to quit the ken And the inquiring looks of men. Trench.
KENDAL GREEN; KENDALKen"dal green`, or; Ken"dal.
Defn: A cloth colored green by dye obtained from the woad-waxen,formerly used by Flemish weavers at Kendal, in Westmoreland, England.J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).How couldst thou know these men in Kendal green Shak.
KENNELKen"nel, n. Etym: [See Channel, Canal.]
Defn: The water course of a street; a little canal or channel; a gutter; also, a puddle. Bp. Hall.
KENNEL Ken"nel, n. Etym: [OE.kenel, (assumed) OF. kenil, F. chenil, LL. canile, fr. L. canis a dog. Cf. Canine.]
1. A house for a dog or for dogs, or for a pack of hounds. A dog sure, if he could speak, had wit enough to describe his kennel. Sir P. Sidney.
2. A pack of hounds, or a collection of dogs. Shak.
3. The hole of a fox or other beast; a haunt.
KENNELKen"nel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Kenneled or Kennelled; p. pr. & vb. n.Kennelling.]
Defn: To lie or lodge; to dwell, as a dog or a fox.The dog kenneled in a hollow tree. L'Estrange.
KENNELKen"nel, v. t.
Defn: To put or keep in a kennel. Thomson.
KENNEL COALKen"nel coal`
Defn: . See Cannel coal.
KENNINGKen"ning, n. Etym: [See Ken, v. t.]
1. Range of sight. [Obs.] Bacon.
2. The limit of vision at sea, being a distance of about twenty miles.
KENO Ke"no, n. Etym: [F. quine five winning numbers, fr. L. quini five each, quinque five. See Five.]
Defn: A gambling game, a variety of the game of lotto, played with balls or knobs, numbered, and cards also numbered. [U. S.]
KENOGENESISKen`o*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. genesis.] (Biol.)
Defn: Modified evolution, in which nonprimitive characters make their appearance in consequence of a secondary adaptation of the embryo to the peculiar conditions of its environment; — distinguished from palingenesis. [Written also cænogenesis.]
KENOGENETICKen`o*ge*net"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to kenogenesis; as, kenogenetic processes.— Ken`o*ge*net"ic*al*ly, adv.
KENSPECKLEKen"spec`kle, a.
Defn: Having so marked an appearance as easily to be recognized.[Scot.]
KENT BUGLEKent" bu"gle. Etym: [Probably named after a Duke of Kent.] (Mus.)
Defn: A curved bugle, having six finger keys or stops, by means of which the performer can play upon every key in the musical scale; — called also keyed bugle, and key bugle. Moore.
KENTLEKen"tle, n. Etym: [From Quintal.] (Com.)
Defn: A hundred weight; a quintal.
KENTLEDGE Kent"ledge, n. Etym: [OF. cant edge, corner, D.kant. See Cant edge, angle.] (Naut.)
Defn: Pigs of iron used for ballast. [Written also kintlidge.]
KENTUCKYKen*tuck"y, n.
Defn: One of the United States. Kentucky blue grass (Bot.), a valuable pasture and meadow grass (Poa pratensis), found in both Europe and America. See under Blue grass. — Kentucky coffee tree (Bot.), a tall North American tree (Gymnocladus Canadensis) with bipinnate leaves. It produces large woody pods containing a few seeds which have been used as a substitute for coffee. The timber is a very valuable.
KEPHALINKeph"a*lin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: One of a group of nitrogenous phosphorized principles, supposed by Thudichum to exist in brain tissue.
KEPIKep"i, n. [F. képi, of G. origin.]
Defn: A military cap having a close-fitting band, a round flat top sloping toward the front, and a visor. As originally worn by the French in Algeria about 1830 it was tall and stiff with a straight visor. It is now lower, has a curved visor, and is frequently soft.
KEPTKept, imp. & p. p.
Defn: of Keep. Kept mistress, a concubine; a woman supported by a man as his paramour.
KEPVISELOHAZ Kép"vi*se*lö*ház`, n. [Hung., fr. képviselö representative + ház house.] (Hungary)
Defn: See Legislature.
KERAMICKe*ram"ic, a.
Defn: Same as Ceramic.
KERAMICSKe*ram"ics, n.
Defn: Same as Ceramics.
KERAMOGRAPHICKer`a*mo*graph"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. graph + ic.]
Defn: Suitable to be written upon; capable of being written upon, as a slate; — said especially of a certain kind of globe. Scudamore.
KERANAKe*ra"na, n. (Mus.)
Defn: A kind of long trumpet, used among the Persians. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
KERARGYRITEKe*rar"gy*rite, n.
Defn: See Cerargyrite.
KERASINKer"a*sin, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous substance free from phosphorus, supposed to be present in the brain; a body closely related to cerebrin.
KERASINEKer"a*sine, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Resembling horn; horny; corneous.
KERATINKer"a*tin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous substance, or mixture of substances, containing sulphur in a loose state of combination, and forming the chemical basis of epidermal tissues, such as horn, hair, feathers, and the like. It is an insoluble substance, and, unlike elastin, is not dissolved even by gastric or pancreatic juice. By decomposition with sulphuric acid it yields leucin and tyrosin, as does albumin. Called also epidermose.
KERATITISKer`a*ti"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the cornea.
KERATODEKer"a*tode, n.
Defn: See Keratose.
KERATOGENOUSKer`a*tog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. -genous.]
Defn: Producing horn; as, the keratogenous membrane within the horny hoof of the horse.
KERATOIDEAKer`a*toi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Keratosa.
KERATOMEKer"a*tome, n. Etym: [Gr. (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument for dividing the cornea in operations for cataract.
KERATONYXISKer`a*to*nyx"is, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The operation of removing a cataract by thrusting a needle through the cornea of the eye, and breaking up the opaque mass.
KERATOPHYTEKer"a*to*phyte, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A gorgonian coral having a horny axis.
KERATOSAKer`a*to"sa, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of sponges having a skeleton composed of hornlike fibers. It includes the commercial sponges.
KERATOSEKer"a*tose`, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A tough, horny animal substance entering into the composition of the skeleton of sponges, and other invertebrates; — called also keratode.
KERATOSEKer"a*tose`, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Containing hornlike fibers or fibers of keratose; belonging to the Keratosa.
KERAUNOGRAPHKe*rau"no*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. graph.]
Defn: A figure or picture impressed by lightning upon the human bodyor elsewhere.— Ker`au-nog"ra-phy, n.
KERBKerb, n.
Defn: See Curb.
KERBSTONEKerb"stone`, n.
Defn: See Curbstone.
KERCHERKer"cher, n.
Defn: A kerchief. [Obs.]He became . . . white as a kercher. Sir T. North.
KERCHEREDKer"chered, a.
Defn: Covered, or bound round, with a kercher. [Obs.] G. Fletcher.
KERCHIEFKer"chief, n.; pl. Kerchiefs. Etym: [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.]
1. A square of fine linen worn by women as a covering for the head; hence, anything similar in form or material, worn for ornament on other parts of the person; — mostly used in compounds; as, neckerchief; breastkerchief; and later, handkerchief. He might put on a hat, a muffler, and a kerchief, and so escape. Shak. Her black hair strained away To a scarlet kerchief caught beneath her chin. Mrs. Browning.
2. A lady who wears a kerchief. Dryden.
KERCHIEFED; KERCHIEFTKer"chiefed, Ker"chieft, a.
Defn: Dressed; hooded; covered; wearing a kerchief. Milton.
KERFKerf, n. Etym: [AS. cyrf a cutting off, fr. ceorfan to cut, carve.See Carve.]
Defn: A notch, channel, or slit made in any material by cutting or sawing.
KERITEKe"rite, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A compound in which tar or asphaltum combined with animal or vegetable oils is vulcanized by sulphur, the product closely resembling rubber; — used principally as an insulating material in telegraphy. Knight.
KERLKerl, n.
Defn: See Carl.
KERMESKer"mes, n. Etym: [Ar. & Per. girmiz. See Crimson, and cf. Alkermes.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The dried bodies of the females of a scale insect (Coccus ilicis), allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species of oak near the Mediterranean. They are round, about the size of a pea, contain coloring matter analogous to carmine, and are used in dyeing. They were anciently thought to be of a vegetable nature, and were used in medicine. [Written also chermes.]
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A small European evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) on which the kermes insect (Coccus ilicis) feeds. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants). Kermes mineral. (a) (Old Chem.) An artificial amorphous trisulphide of antimony; — so called on account of its red color. (b) (Med. Chem.) A compound of the trioxide and trisulphide of antimony, used in medicine. This substance occurs in nature as the mineral kermesite.
KERMESSEKer"messe, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: See Kirmess.
KERNKern, n. Etym: [Ir.ceatharnach.Cf. Cateran. ]
1. A light-armed foot soldier of the ancient militia of Ireland and Scotland; — distinguished from gallowglass, and often used as a term of contempt. Macaulay. Now for our Irish wars; We must supplant those rough, rug-headed kerns. Shak.
2. Any kind of boor or low-lived person. [Obs.] Blount.
3. (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: An idler; a vagabond. Wharton.
KERNKern, n. (Type Founding)
Defn: A part of the face of a type which projects beyond the body, or shank.
KERNKern, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kerned; p. pr. & vb. n. Kerning. ] (TypeFounding)
Defn: To form with a kern. See 2d Kern.
KERNKern, n. Etym: [See Churn. ]
Defn: A churn. [Prov. Eng.]
KERNKern, n. Etym: [AS. cweorn, cwyrn. See Quern. ]
Defn: A hand mill. See Quern. Johnson.
KERNKern, v. i. Etym: [Cf. G. kern kernel, grain; akin to E. corn. SeeCorn, Kernel. ]
1. To harden, as corn in ripening. [Obs.] Carew.
2. To take the form of kernels; to granulate. [Obs.] It is observed that rain makes the salt kern. Dampier.
KERN BABYKern baby.
Defn: A doll or image decorated with corn (grain) flowers, etc., carried in the festivals of a kern, or harvest-home. Called also harvest queen.
KERNEDKerned, a. (Print.)
Defn: Having part of the face projecting beyond the body or shank; — said of type. "In Roman, f and j are the only kerned letters." MacKellar.
KERNEL Ker"nel, n. Etym: [OE. kernel, kirnel, curnel, AS.cyrnel, fr. corn grain. See Corn, and cf. Kern to harden.]
1. The essential part of a seed; all that is within the seed walls; the edible substance contained in the shell of a nut; hence, anything included in a shell, husk, or integument; as, the kernel of a nut. See Illust. of Endocarp. ' A were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel Shak.
2. A single seed or grain; as, a kernel of corn.
3. A small mass around which other matter is concreted; a nucleus; a concretion or hard lump in the flesh.
4. The central, substantial or essential part of anything; the gist; the core; as, the kernel of an argument.
KERNELKer"nel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Kerneled or Kernelled; p. pr. & vb. n.Kerneling or Kernelling.]
Defn: To harden or ripen into kernels; to produce kernels.
KERNELED; KERNELLEDKer"neled, Ker"nelled, a.
Defn: Having a kernel.
KERNELLYKer"nel*ly, a.
Defn: Full of kernels; resembling kernels; of the nature of kernels.Holland.
KERNISHKern"ish, a. Etym: [From Kern a boor.]
Defn: Clownish; booorish. [Obs.] "A petty kernish prince." Milton.
KEROLITEKer"o*lite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Same as Cerolite.
KEROSENEKer"o*sene`, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: An oil used for illuminating purposes, formerly obtained from the distillation of mineral wax, bituminous shale, etc., and hence called also coal oil. It is now produced in immense quantities, chiefly by the distillation and purification of petroleum. It consists chiefly of several hydrocarbons of the methane series.
KERS; KERSEKers, Kerse, n.
Defn: A cress. [Obs.] Chaucer. Not worth a kers. See under Cress.
KERSEYKer"sey, n.; pl. Kerseys. Etym: [Prob. from the town of Kersey inSuffolk, Eng.]
Defn: A kind of coarse, woolen cloth, usually ribbed, woven from wool of long staple.
KERSEYMEREKer"sey*mere, n. Etym: [For cassimere, confounded with kersey.]
Defn: See Cassimere.
KERSEYNETTEKer`sey*nette", n.
Defn: See Cassinette.
KERSEYSKer"seys, n. pl.
Defn: Varieties of kersey; also, trousers made of kersey.
KERVEKerve, v. t.
Defn: To carve. [Obs.] Chaucer.
KERVERKerv"er, n.
Defn: A carver. [Obs.] Chaucer.
KESARKe"sar, n.
Defn: See Kaiser [Obs.] Spenser.
KESLOP Kes"lop, n. Etym: [AS.c, or c, milk curdled; cf. G. käselab, käselippe. See Cheese, and cf.Cheeselep.]
Defn: The stomach of a calf, prepared for rennet. Halliwell.
KESSKess, v. t.
Defn: To kiss. [Obs.] Chaucer
KESTKest, imp.
Defn: of Cast. [Obs.]
KESTRELKes"trel, n. Etym: [See Castrel.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small, slender European hawk (Falco alaudarius), allied to the sparrow hawk. Its color is reddish fawn, streaked and spotted with white and black. Also called windhover and stannel. The name is also applied to other allied species.
Note: This word is often used in contempt, as of a mean kind of hawk."Kites and kestrels have a resemblance with hawks." Bacon.
KETKet, n. Etym: [Icel. kjöt flesh; akin to Sw. kött, Dan. kjöd.]
Defn: Carrion; any filth. [Prob. Eng.] Halliwell.
KETAKe"ta, n. [Perh. of Amer. Indian origin.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) of inferior value, which in the autumn runs up all the larger rivers between San Francisco and Kamchatka.
KETCHKetch, n. Etym: [Prob. corrupted fr. Turk. qaiq : cf. F. caiche. Cf.Caïque.] (Naut.)
Defn: An almost obsolete form of vessel, with a mainmast and a mizzenmast, — usually from one hundred to two hundred and fifty tons burden. Bomb ketch. See under Bomb.
KETCHKetch, n.
Defn: A hangman. See Jack Ketch.
KETCHKetch, v. t. Etym: [See Catch.]
Defn: To catch. [Now obs. in spelling, and colloq. in pronunciation.]To ketch him at a vantage in his snares. Spenser.
KETCHUPKetch"up, n.
Defn: A sauce. See Catchup.
KETINEKe"tine, n. Etym: [See Ketone.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of a series of organic bases obtained by the reduction of certain isonitroso compounds of the ketones. In general they are unstable oily substances having a pungent aromatic odor.
KETMIEKet`mie", n. (Bot.)
Defn: The name of certain African species of Hibiscus, cultivated for the acid of their mucilage. [Written also ketmia.]
KETOLKe"tol, n. Etym: [Ketone + indol.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of a series of series of complex nitrogenous substances, represented by methyl ketol and related to indol. Methyl ketol, a weak organic base, obtained as a white crystalline substance having the odor of fæces.
KETONEKe"tone, n. Etym: [Cf. Acetone.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of a large class of organic substances resembling the aldehydes, obtained by the distillation of certain salts of organic acids and consisting of carbonyl (CO) united with two hydrocarbon radicals. In general the ketones are colorless volatile liquids having a pungent ethereal odor.
Note: The ketones are named by adding the suffix-one to the stems of the organic acids from which they are respectively derived; thus, acetic acid gives acetone; butyric acid, butyrone, etc.
KETONICKe*ton"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, a ketone; as, a ketonic acid.
KETTLE Ket"tle, n. Etym: [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. chezzi kettle, Icel. kati small ship.]
Defn: A metallic vessel, with a wide mouth, often without a cover, used for heating and boiling water or other liguids. Kettle pins, ninepins; skittles. [Obs.] Shelton. — Kettle stitch (Bookbinding), the stitch made in sewing at the head and tail of a book. Knight.
KETTLEDRUMKet"tle*drum`, n.
1. (Mus.)
Defn: A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.
Note: Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani.
2. An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5.
KETTLEDRUMMERKet"tle*drum`mer, n.
Defn: One who plays on a kettledrum.
KEUPERKeu"per, n. Etym: [G.] (Geol.)
Defn: The upper division of the European Triassic. See Chart ofGeology.
KEVEL Kev"el, n. Etym: [Prov. E. kevil, cavel, rod, pole, a large hammer, horse's bit; cf. Icel. kefli cylinder, a stick, mangle, and Dan. kievle a roller.]
1. (Naut.)
Defn: A strong cleat to which large ropes are belayed.
2. A stone mason's hammer. [Written also cavil.] Kevel head (Naut.), a projecting end of a timber, used as a kevel.
KEVEL; KEVINKev"el, Kev"in, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The gazelle.
KEVERKev"er, v. t. &
Defn: i. To cover. [Obs.] Chaucer.
KEVERCHIEFKev"er*chief, n.
Defn: A kerchief. [Obs.] Chaucer.
KEXKex, n. Etym: [W. cecys, pl., hollow stalks.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A weed; a kecksy. Bp. Gauden.Though the rough kex break The starred mosaic. Tennyson.
2. A dry husk or covering. When the kex, or husk, is broken, he proveth a fair flying butterfly. Holland.
KEYKey, n. Etym: [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c
1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.
2. An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.
3. That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.
4. A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem. Those who are accustomed to reason have got the true key of books. Locke. Who keeps the keys of all the creeds. Tennyson.
5. That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.
6. (Arch.) (a) A piece of wood used as a wedge. (b) The last board of a floor when laid down.
7. (Masonry) (a) A keystone. (b) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.
8. (Mach.) (a) A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock. See Illusts. of Cotter, and Gib. (b) A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.
9. (Bot.)
Defn: An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; — called also key fruit.
10. (Mus.) (a) A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key. (b) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote. Both warbling of one song, both in one key. Shak.
11. Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance. You fall at once into a lower key. Cowper. Key bed. Same as Key seat. — Key bolt, a bolt which has a mortise near the end, and is secured by a cotter or wedge instead of a nut. Key bugle. See Kent bugle. — Key of a position or country. (Mil.) See Key, 4. — Key seat (Mach.), a bed or groove to receive a key which prevents one part from turning on the other. — Key way, a channel for a key, in the hole of a piece which is keyed to a shaft; an internal key seat; — called also key seat. — Key wrench (Mach.), an adjustable wrench in which the movable jaw is made fast by a key. — Power of the keys (Eccl.), the authority claimed by the ministry in some Christian churches to administer the discipline of the church, and to grant or withhold its privileges; — so called from the declaration of Christ, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Matt. xvi. 19.
KEYKey, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Keved; p. pr. & vb. n. Keying.]
Defn: To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges. Francis. To key up. (a) (Arch.) To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its centering, by driving in the keystone forcibly. (b) (Mus.) To raise the pitch of. (c) Hence, fig., to produce nervous tension in.
KEYAGEKey"age, n. Etym: [OF.caiage, F. guayage. See lst Key, Quay.]
Defn: Wharfage; quayage.
KEYBOARDKey"board`, n.
Defn: The whole arrangement, or one range, of the keys of an organ, typewriter, etc.
KEY-COLDKey"-cold`, a.
Defn: Cold as a metallic key; lifeless. [Formerly, a proverbial expression.] Shak. Milton.
KEYEDKeyed (ked), a.
Defn: Furnished with keys; as, a keyed instrument; also, set to a key, as a tune. Keyed bugle. See Kent bugle.
KEY FRUITKey fruit. (Bot.)
Defn: A samara.
KEYHOLEKey"hole`, n.
1. A hole or apertupe in a door or lock, for receiving a key.
2. (a) (Carp.) A hole or excavation in beams intended to be joined together, to receive the key which fastens them. (b) (Mach.) a mortise for a key or cotter. Keyhole limpet (Zoöl.), a marine gastropod of the genus Fissurella and allied genera. See Fissurella. — Keyhole saw, a narrow, slender saw, used in cutting keyholes, etc., as in doors; a kind of compass saw or fret saw. — Keyhole urchin (Zoöl.), any one of numerous clypeastroid sea urchins, of the genera Melitta, Rotula, and Encope; — so called because they have one or more perforations resembling keyholes.
KEYNOTEKey"note`, n.
1. (Mus.)
Defn: The tonic or first tone of the scale in which a piece or passage is written; the fundamental tone of the chord, to which all the modulations of the piece are referred; — called also key tone.
2. The fundamental fact or idea; that which gives the key; as, the keynote of a policy or a sermon.
KEYSEATKey"seat`, v. t.
Defn: To form a key seat, as by cutting. See Key seat, under Key.
KEYSTONEKey"stone`, n. (Arch.)
Defn: The central or topmost stone of an arch. This in some styles is made different in size from the other voussoirs, or projects, or is decorated with carving. See Illust. of Arch. Keystone State, the State of Pennsylvania; — so called from its having been the central State of the Union at the formation of the Constitution.
KEYSTONE STATEKey"stone` State.
Defn: Pennsylvania; — a nickname alluding to its having been the central one of the 13 original United States.
KEY TONEKey" tone`. (Mus.)
Defn: See Keynote.
KEYWAYKey"way`, n.
Defn: See Key way, under Key.
KHAKI Kha"ki (kä"ke), a. [Hind. khaki, lit., dusty, dust-colored, fr. Per. khak dust.]
Defn: Of a dull brownish yellow, or drab color; — applied to cloth, originally to a stout brownish cotton cloth, used in making uniforms in the Anglo-Indian army. In the United States service the summer uniform of cotton is officially designated khaki; the winter uniform of wool, olive drab.
KHAKIKha"ki, n.
Defn: Any kind of khaki cloth; hence, a uniform of khaki or, rarely, a soldier clad in khaki. In the United States and British armies khaki or cloth of a very similar color is almost exclusively used for service in the field.
KHALIFFKha"liff, n.
Defn: See Caliph.
KHAMSINKham*sin`, n.
Defn: Same as Kamsin.
KHANKhan, n. Etym: [Pers. & Tart. khan.] [Also kan, kaun.]
Defn: A king; a prince; a chief; a governor; — so called among the Tartars, Turks, and Persians, and in countries now or formerly governed by them.
KHANKhan, n. Etym: [Per. khan, khanah, house, tent, inn.]
Defn: An Eastern inn or caravansary. [Written also kawn.]
KHANATEKhan*ate (, n.
Defn: Dominion or jurisdiction of a khan.
KHAYAKha"ya, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A lofty West African tree (Khaya Senegalensis), related to the mahogany, which it resembles in the quality of the wood. The bark is used as a febrifuge.
KHEDIVEKhe`dive", n. Etym: [F. khédive, Pers. khediw a prince.]
Defn: A governor or viceroy; — a title granted in 1867 by the sultan of Turkey to the ruler of Egypt.
KHENNAKhen"na, n.
Defn: See Henna.
KHOLAHKho"lah, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Indian jackal.
KHOLSUNKhol"sun (, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The dhole.
KHONDKhond, n.
Defn: A Dravidian of a group of tribes of Orissa, India, a section of whom were formerly noted for their cruel human sacrifices to the earth goddess, murder of female infants, and marriage by capture.
KHUTBAHKhut"bah, n. Etym: [Ar.]
Defn: An address or public prayer read from the steps of the pulpit in Mohammedan mosques, offering glory to God, praising Mohammed and his descendants, and the ruling princes.
KIABOOCA WOODKi`a*boo"ca wood`
Defn: . See Kyaboca wood.
KIANGKi*ang", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The dziggetai.
KIBBLEKib"ble, v. t.
Defn: To bruise; to grind coarsely; as, kibbled oats. [Prov.Eng.]Halliwell.
KIBBLEKib"ble, n.
Defn: A large iron bucket used in Cornwall and Wales for raising ore out of mines. [Prov. Eng.] [Written also kibbal.]
KIBBLINGSKib"blings, n. pl.
Defn: Portions of small fish used for bait on the banks ofNewfoundland.
KIBEKibe, n. Etym: [W. cib + gwst pain, sickness.]
Defn: A chap or crack in the flesh occasioned by cold; an ulcerated chilblain. "He galls his kibe." Shak.
KIBEDKibed, a.
Defn: Chapped; cracked with cold; affected with chilblains; as kibed heels. Beau. & Fl.
KIBITKAKi*bit"ka, n.; pl. Kibitkas (. Etym: [Russ.]
1. A tent used by the Kirghiz Tartars.
2. A rude kind of Russian vehicle, on wheels or on runners, sometimes covered with cloth or leather, and often used as a movable habitation.
KIBLAHKib"lah (, n.
Defn: See Keblah.
KIBOSHKi"bosh, n.
1. Nonsense; stuff; also, fashion; style. [Slang]
2. Portland cement when thrown or blown into the recesses of carved stonework to intensify the shadows.
To put the kibosh on, to do for; to dispose of. [Slang]
KIBYKib"y, a.
Defn: Affected with kibes. Skelton.
KICHILKich"il
Defn: ,. [Obs.] See Kechil. Chaucer.
KICK Kick, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kicred; p. pr. & vb. n. Kicking.] Etym: [W. cicio, fr. cic foot.]
Defn: To strike, thrust, or hit violently with the foot; as, a horse kicks a groom; a man kicks a dog. He [Frederick the Great] kicked the shins of his judges. Macaulay. To kick the beam, to fit up and strike the beam; — said of the lighter arm of a loaded balance; hence, to be found wanting in weight. Milton. — To kick the bucket, to lose one's life; to die. [Colloq. & Low]
KICKKick, v. i.
1. To thrust out the foot or feet with violence; to strike out with the foot or feet, as in defense or in bad temper; esp., to strike backward, as a horse does, or to have a habit of doing so. Hence, figuratively: To show ugly resistance, opposition, or hostility; to spurn. I should kick, being kicked. Shak.
2. To recoil; — said of a musket, cannon, etc.
KICKKick, n.
1. A blow with the foot or feet; a striking or thrust with the foot. A kick, that scarce would more a horse, May kill a sound divine. Cowper.
2. The projection on the tang of the blade of a pocket knife, which prevents the edge of the blade from striking the spring. See Illust. of Pocketknife.
3. (Brickmaking)
Defn: A projection in a mold, to form a depression in the surface of the brick.
4. The recoil of a musket or other firearm, when discharged.
KICKABLEKick"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable or deserving of being kicked. "A kickable boy." G.Eliot.
KICKAPOOSKick`a*poos", n. pl.; sing. Kickapoo (. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A tribe of Indians which formerly occupied the region ofNorthern Illinois, allied in language to the Sacs and Foxes.
KICKERKick"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, kicks.
KICKSHAWKick"shaw`, n.
Defn: See Kickshaws, the correct singular.
KICKSHAWS Kick"shaws`, n.; pl. Kickshawses Etym: [Corrupt. fr. F. guelgue chose something, fr. L. gualis of what kind (akin to E. which) + suffix - guam + causa cause, in LL., a thing. See Which, and Cause.]
1. Something fantastical; any trifling, trumpery thing; a toy. Art thou good at these kickshawses! Shak.
2. A fancy dish; a titbit; a delicacy.Some pigeons, . . . a joint of mutton, and any pretty little tinykickshaws. Shak.Cressy was lost by kickshaws and soup-maigre. Fenton.
KICKSHOEKick"shoe`, n.
Defn: A kickshaws. Milton.
KICKSY-WICKSY; KICKY-WISKYKick"sy-wick`sy, Kick"y-wisk`y, n.
Defn: That which is restless and uneasy.
Note: Kicky-wicky, or, in some editions, Kicksy-wicksy, is applied contemptuously to a wife by Shakespeare, in "All's Well that Ends Well," ii. 3, 297.
KICKSY-WICKSYKick"sy-wick`sy, a.
Defn: Fantastic; restless; as, kicksy-wicksy flames. Nares.
KICKUPKick"up, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The water thrush or accentor. [Local, West Indies]
KID Kid, n. Etym: [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. ki, Dan. & Sw. kid; akin to OHG. kizzi, G. kitz, kitzchen, kitzlein.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A young goat. The . . . leopard shall lie down with the kid. Is. xi. 6 .
2. A young child or infant; hence, a simple person, easily imposed on. [Slang] Charles Reade.
3. A kind of leather made of the skin of the young goat, or of the skin of rats, etc.
4. pl.
Defn: Gloves made of kid. [Colloq. & Low]
5. A small wooden mess tub; — a name given by sailors to one in which they receive their food. Cooper.
KIDKid, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Kidded; p. pr. & vb. n. Kidding.]
Defn: To bring forth a young goat.
KIDKid, n. Etym: [Cf. W. cidysen.]
Defn: A fagot; a bundle of heath and furze. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.
KIDKid, p. p.
Defn: of Kythe. [Obs.] Gower. Chaucer.
KIDKid, v. t.
Defn: See Kiddy, v. t. [Slang]
KIDDEKid"de, imp.
Defn: of Kythe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
KIDDERMINSTERKid"der*min`ster, n.
Defn: A kind of ingrain carpeting, named from the English town where formerly most of it was manufactured.
KIDDIERKid"di*er, n. Etym: [Cf. OSw. kyta to truck.]
Defn: A huckster; a cadger. [Obs.] Halliwell.
KIDDLEKid"dle, n. Etym: [Cf. LL.kidellus, Armor. kiael]
Defn: A kind of basketwork wear in a river, for catching fish.[Improperly spelled kittle.]
KIDDOWKid"dow, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The guillemot. [Written also kiddaw.] [Prov. Eng.]
KIDDYKid"dy, v. t.
Defn: To deceive; to outwit; to hoax. [Slang] Dickens.
KIDDYKid"dy, n.
Defn: A young fellow; formerly, a low thief. [Slang, Eng.]
KIDDYISHKid"dy*ish, a.
Defn: Frolicsome; sportive. [Slang]
KIDFOX; KID-FOXKid"fox`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A young fox Shak.
KIDLINGKid"ling, n. Etym: [Kid +-ling: cf. Sw. kidling.]
Defn: A young kid.
KIDNAPKid"nap`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kidnaped or Kidnapped; p. pr. & vb. n.Kidnaping or Kidnapping.] Etym: [Kid a child + Prov. E. nap to seize,to grasp. Cf. Knab, Knap, Nab.]
Defn: To take (any one) by force or fear, and against one's will, with intent to carry to another place. Abbott. You may reason or expostulate with the parents, but never attempt to kidnap their children, and to make proselytes of them. Whately.
Note: Originally used only of stealing children, but now extended in application to any human being, involuntarily abducted.
KIDNAPER; KIDNAPPERKid"nap`er, or; Kid"nap`per, n.
Defn: One who steals or forcibly carries away a human being; a manstealer.
KIDNEY Kid"ney, n.; pl. Kidneys. Etym: [OE. kidnei, kidnere, from Icel. koi belly, womb (akin to Goth. gipus, AS. cwip womb) + OE. nere kidney; akin to D. nier, G. niere, OHG. nioro, Icel. n, Dan. nyre, Sw. njure, and probably to Gr. (Kite belly.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: A glandular organ which excretes urea and other waste products from the animal body; a urinary gland.
Note: In man and in other mammals there are two kidneys, one each side of vertebral column in the back part of the abdomen, each kidney being connected with the bladder by a long tube, the ureter, through which the urine is constantly excreted into the bladder to be periodically discharged.
2. Habit; disposition; sort; kind. Shak. There are in later other decrees, made by popes of another kidney. Barrow. Millions in the world of this man's kidney. L'Estrange. Your poets, spendthrifts, and other fools of that kidney, pretend, forsooth, to crack their jokes on prudence. Burns.
Note: This use of the word perhaps arose from the fact that the kidneys and the fat about them are an easy test of the condition of an animal as to fatness. "Think of that, — a man of my kidney; — . . . as subject to heat as butter." Shak.
3. A waiter. [Old Cant] Tatler. Floating kidney. See Wandering kidney, under Wandering. — Kidney bean (Bot.), a sort of bean; — so named from its shape. It is of the genus Phaseolus (P. vulgaris). See under Bean. — Kidney ore (Min.), a variety of hematite or iron sesquioxide, occurring in compact kidney-shaped masses. — Kidney stone. (Min.) See Nephrite, and Jade. — Kidney vetch (Bot.), a leguminous herb of Europe and Asia (Anthyllis vulneraria), with cloverlike heads of red or yellow flowers, once used as a remedy for renal disorders, and also to stop the flow of blood from wounds; lady's-fingers.
KIDNEY-FORM; KIDNEY-SHAPEDKid"ney-form`, Kid"ney-shaped`, a.
Defn: Having the form or shape of a kidney; reniform; as, a kidney- shaped leaf. Gray.
KIDNEYWORT Kid"ney*wort`, n. (Bot.) (a) A kind of saxifrage (Saxifrage stellaris). (b) The navelwort.
KIEKie, n. pl. Etym: [Cf. Kee.]
Defn: Kine; cows. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
KIEFEKILKie"fe*kil, n. Etym: [Per. keff foam, scum + gil clay, mud.] (Min.)
Defn: A species of clay; meerschaum. [Also written keffekil.]
KIERKier, n. Etym: [Icel. ker a tub.] (Bleaching)
Defn: A large tub or vat in which goods are subjected to the action of hot lye or bleaching liquor; — also called keeve.
KIESELGUHR Kie"sel*guhr`, n. Etym: [G., fr. kiesel flint + guhr an earthy deposit or sediment in water.]
Defn: Siliceous earth; specifically, porous infusorial earth, used as an absorbent of nitroglycerin in the manufacture of dynamite.
KIESERITEKie"ser*ite. n. Etym: [Named after Prof. Kieser, of Jena.] (Min.)
Defn: Hydrous sulphate of magnesia found at the salt mines ofStassfurt, Prussian Saxony.
KIEVEKieve, n.
Defn: See Keeve, n.
KIKEKike, v. i. Etym: [Cf. D. kijken, Sw. kika.]
Defn: To gaze; to stare. [Obs.] Chaucer.
KIKEKike, v. t. & i.
Defn: To kick [Obs.] Chaucer.
KILDERKIN Kil"der*kin, n. Etym: [OD. kindeken, kinneken, a small barrel, orig., a little child, fr. kind child; akin to G.kind, and to E. kin.]
Defn: A small barrel; an old liquid measure containing eighteen English beer gallons, or nearly twenty-two gallons, United States measure. [Written also kinderkin.]
KILERGKil"erg`, n. [Kilo- + erg.] (Physics)
Defn: A unit of work equal to one thousand ergs.
KILKENNY CATSKil*ken"ny cats.
Defn: Two cats fabled, in an Irish story, to have fought till nothing was left but their tails. It is probably a parable of a local contest between Kilkenny and Irishtown, which impoverished both towns.
KILLKill, n.
Defn: A kiln. [Obs.] Fuller.
KILLKill, n. Etym: [D. kil.]
Defn: A channel or arm of the sea; a river; a stream; as, the channel between Staten Island and Bergen Neck is the Kill van Kull, or the Kills; — used also in composition; as, Schuylkill, Catskill, etc.
KILL Kill, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Killed; p. pr. & vb. n. Killing.] Etym: [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.]
1. To deprive of life, animal or vegetable, in any manner or by any means; to render inanimate; to put to death; to slay. Ah, kill me with thy weapon, not with words ! Shak.
2. To destroy; to ruin; as, to kill one's chances; to kill the sale of a book. "To kill thine honor." Shak. Her lively color kill'd with deadly cares. Shak.
3. To cause to cease; to quell; to calm; to still; as, in seamen's language, a shower of rain kills the wind. Be comforted, good madam; the great rage, You see, is killed in him. Shak.
4. To destroy the effect of; to counteract; to neutralize; as, alkali kills acid. To kill time, to busy one's self with something which occupies the attention, or makes the time pass without tediousness.
Syn. — To murder; assassinate; slay; butcher; destroy. — To Kill, Murder, Assassinate. To kill does not necessarily mean any more than to deprive of life. A man may kill another by accident or in self-defense, without the imputation of guilt. To murder is to kill with malicious forethought and intention. To assassinate is tomurder suddenly and by stealth. The sheriff may kill without murdering; the duelist murders, but does not assassinate his antagonist; the assassin kills and murders.
KILLDEE; KILLDEERKill"dee`, Kill"deer`, n. Etym: [So named from its notes.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small American plover (Ægialitis vocifera).
Note: It is dark grayish brown above; the rump and upper tail coverts are yellowish rufous; the belly, throat, and a line over the eyes, white; a ring round the neck and band across the breast, black.
KILLERKill"er, n.
1. One who deprives of life; one who, or that which, kills.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A voracious, toothed whale of the genus Orca, of which several species are known.
Note: The killers have a high dorsal fin, and powerful jaws armed with large, sharp teeth. They capture, and swallow entire, large numbers of seals, porpoises, and dolphins, and are celebrated for their savage, combined attacks upon the right whales, which they are said to mutilate and kill. The common Atlantic species (Orca gladiator), is found both on the European and the American coast. Two species (Orca ater and O. rectipinna) occur on the Pacific coast.
KILLESSE Kil*lesse", n. Etym: [Cf. Coulisse.] (Arch.) (a) A gutter, groove, or channel. (b) A hipped roof. [Prov. Eng.] Parker.
KILLIFISHKil"li*fish`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several small American cyprinodont fishes of the genus Fundulus and allied genera. They live equally well in fresh and brackish water, or even in the sea. They are usually striped or barred with black. Called also minnow, and brook fish. See Minnow.
KILLIGREWKil"li*grew, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Cornish chough. See under Chough. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
KILLIKINICKKil`li*ki*nick", n.
Defn: See Kinnikinic.
KILLINGKill"ing, a.
Defn: Literally, that kills; having power to kill; fatal; in acolloquial sense, conquering; captivating; irresistible.— Kill"ing*ly, adv.Those eyes are made so killing. Pope.Nothing could be more killingly spoken. Milton.
KILL-JOYKill"-joy`, n.
Defn: One who causes gloom or grief; a dispiriting person. W. Black.
KILLOCKKil"lock, n. Etym: [Cf. Scot.killick "the flue [fluke] of an anchor."Jamieson.]
Defn: A small anchor; also, a kind of anchor formed by a stone inclosed by pieces of wood fastened together. [Written also killick.]
KILLOW Kil"low, n. Etym: [Prov. E. kollow the smut or grime on the backs of chimneys.]
Defn: An earth of a blackish or deep blue color. Woodward.
KILN Kiln, n. Etym: [OE.kilne, kulne, AS. cyln, cylen; akin to Icel. kylna; prob. from the same source as coal. See Coal.]
1. A large stove or oven; a furnace of brick or stone, or a heated chamber, for the purpose of hardening, burning, or drying anything; as, a kiln for baking or hardening earthen vessels; a kiln for drying grain, meal, lumber, etc.; a kiln for calcining limestone.
2. A furnace for burning bricks; a brickkiln.
KILN-DRYKiln"-dry`, v. t.
Defn: To dry in a kiln; as, to kiln-dry meal or grain. Mortimer.
KILNHOLEKiln"hole`, n.
Defn: The mouth or opening of an oven or kiln. Shak.
KILOKi"lo, n.; pl. Kilos. Etym: [F.]
Defn: An abbreviation of Kilogram.
KILO-Kil"o-. [F. kilo-. See Kilogram.]
Defn: A combining form used to signify thousand in forming the names of units of measurement; as, kilogram, kilometer, kilowatt, etc.
KILOGRAM; KILOGRAMMEKil"o*gram, Kil"o*gramme, n. Etym: [F. kilogramme; pref. kilo- (fr.Gr. chi`lioi a thousand ) + gramme. See 3d Gram.]
Defn: A measure of weight, being a thousand grams, equal to 2.2046 pounds avoirdupois (15,432.34 grains). It is equal to the weight of a cubic decimeter of distilled water at the temperature of maximum density, or 39º Fahrenheit.
KILOGRAMMETER; KILOGRAMMETREKil"o*gram*me`ter, Kil"o*gram*me`tre, n. (Mech.)
Defn: A measure of energy or work done, being the amount expended in raising one kilogram through the height of one meter, in the latitude of Paris.
KILOLITER; KILOLITREKil"o*li`ter, Kil"o*li`tre, n. Etym: [F. kilolitre. See Kilogram, andLiter.]
Defn: A measure of capacity equal to a cubic meter, or a thousand liters. It is equivalent to 35.315 cubic feet, and to 220.04 imperial gallons, or 264.18 American gallons of 321 cubic inches.
KILOMETER; KILOMETREKil"o*me`ter, Kil"o*me`tre, n. Etym: [F. kilometre. See Kilogram, andMeter.]
Defn: A measure of length, being a thousand meters. It is equal to 3,280.8 feet, or 62137 of a mile.
KILOSTEREKil"o*stere`, n. Etym: [F.kilostere. See Kilogram, and Stere.]
Defn: A cubic measure containing 1000 cubic meters, and equivalent to 35,315 cubic feet.
KILOVOLTKil"o*volt`, n. [Kilo- + volt.] (Elec.)
Defn: A unit of electromotive force equal to one thousand volts.
KILOWATTKil"o*watt, n. Etym: [See Kilogram and Watt.] (Elec.)
Defn: One thousand watts.
KILOWATT HOURKil"o*watt` hour. (Elec.)
Defn: A unit of work or energy equal to that done by one kilowatt acting for one hour; —approx. = 1.34 horse-power hour.
KILTKilt (,
Defn: p. p. from Kill. [Obs.] Spenser.
KILT Kilt, n. Etym: [OGael. cealt clothes, or rather perh. fr. Dan. kilte op to truss, tie up, tuck up.]
Defn: A kind of short petticoat, reaching from the waist to the knees, worn in the Highlands of Scotland by men, and in the Lowlands by young boys; a filibeg. [Written also kelt.]
KILTKilt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kilted; p. pr. & vb. n. Kilting.]
Defn: To tuck up; to truss up, as the clothes. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
KILTEDKilt"ed, a.
1. Having on a kilt.
2. Plaited after the manner of kilting.
3. Tucked or fastened up; — said of petticoats, etc.
KILTERKil"ter, n.
Defn: See Kelter.
KILTINGKilt"ing, n. (Dressmaking)
Defn: A perpendicular arrangement of flat, single plaits, each plait being folded so as to cover half the breadth of the preceding one.
KIMBOKim"bo, a. Etym: [Cf. Akimbo.]
Defn: Crooked; arched; bent. [Written also kimbow.] Dryden.
KIMMERIANKim*me"ri*an, a.
Defn: See Cimmerian.
KIMNELKim"nel, n.
Defn: A tub. See Kemelin. [Obs.]She knew not what a kimnel was Beau. & Fl.
KIMONOKi*mo"no, n.; pl. -nos (#). [Jap.]
1. A kind of loose robe or gown tied with a sash, worn as an outer garment by Japanese men and women.
2. A similar gown worn as a dressing gown by women of Western nations.