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. καλός beautiful + e'i^dos form + -scope.]
Kali: [Skr. kali.]
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. κάμπτω 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. κάθετος 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.]
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.]
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.]
Keep: [OE. kēpen, AS. cēpan to keep, regard, desire, await, take, betake; cf. AS. copenere lover, OE. copnien to desire.]
Keeve: [AS. ccȳff, 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.]
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.]
Kennel: [See Channel, Canal.]
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. ]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
Kinate: [Cf. F. kinate. ]
Kind: [AS. cynde, gecynde, natural, innate, prop. an old p. p. from the root of E. kin. See Kin kindred.]
Kindergarten: [G., lit., children's garden; kinder (pl. of kind child, akin to E. kin kindred) + garten garden.]
Kindle: [OE. kindlen, cundlen. See Kind.]
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. κίνημα, […] 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.]
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.]
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. kکوشْکshk.]
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.]
Kist: [See Chest.]
kistvaen: [W. cist-faen.]
kit: [See Kitten.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]