Part 59

KITTLE, kit'l, _adj._ (_Scot._) ticklish, intractable.--_v.t._ (_Scot._) to tickle.--_adj._ KITT'LY, easily tickled, sensitive.--_n._ KITT'LY-BEND'ERS (_Amer._), running on thin bending ice.

KIWI, k[=e]'wi, _n._ a bird of the genus Apteryx found in New Zealand.

KLANG, klang, _n._ (_mus._) a complex tone, composed of fundamental and harmonics, as opposed to a simple tone. [Ger.]

KLEPHT, kleft, _n._ a Greek or Albanian brigand. [Gr., from _kleptein_, to steal.]

KLEPTOMANIA, klep-to-m[=a]'ni-a, _n._ a mania for stealing: a morbid impulse to secrete things.--_n._ KLEPTOM[=A]'NIAC. [Gr. _kleptein_ to steal, _mania_, madness.]

KLICK. Same as CLICK.

KLIPDAS, klip'das, _n._ the rock badger.

KLIPSPRINGER, klip'spring-[.e]r, _n._ a small South African antelope.

KLOOF, kl[=oo]f, _n._ a mountain cleft. [S. African Dutch.]

KNACK, nak, _n._ a petty contrivance: a toy: a nice trick: dexterity, adroitness.--_n._ KNACK'INESS.--_adjs._ KNACK'ISH, KNACK'Y, cunning, crafty. [Orig. imit.; cf. Gael. _cnac_, Dut. _knak_, a crack, Ger. _knacken_, to crack.]

KNACKER, nak'[.e]r, _n._ anything that knocks: (_pl._) castanets or clappers, bones.

KNACKER, nak'[.e]r, _n._ a dealer in old horses and dog's-meat: (_prov._) a collier's horse. [From Ice. _knakkr_, a saddle.]

KNAG, nag, _n._ a knot in wood: a peg.--_n._ KNAG'GINESS, state of being knaggy.--_adj._ KNAG'GY, knotty: rugged. [From a root found in Ir. and Gael. _cnag_, a knob; cf. Dan. _knag_, Ger. _knagge_.]

KNAP, nap, _v.t._ to snap or break with a snapping noise: to break in pieces with blows, as stones: to bite off, nibble:--_pr.p._ knap'ping; _pa.p._ knapped.--_ns._ KNAP'BOTTLE, the bladder-campion; KNAP'PER, one who breaks stones, esp. one who breaks up flint-flakes for gun-flints; KNAP'PING-HAMM'ER (_Scot._), a hammer for breaking stones.--_v.i._ KNAP'PLE, to nibble. [Dut. _knappen_, to crack or crush.]

KNAP, nap, _n._ (_Bacon_) a protuberance, a hillock.--_n._ KNAP'WEED, a general name for plants of the genus _Centaurea_ of the composite family--star-thistle, bachelor's buttons. [Conn. with _knob_, _knop_.]

KNAPSACK, nap'sak, _n._ a provision-sack: a case for necessaries borne by soldiers and travellers. [Dut. _knappen_, to crack, eat, _zak_, a sack.]

KNAPSKULL, nap'skul, _n._ a helmet. [From _knap_ (n.) and _skull_.]

KNAR, n[:a]r, _n._ a knot on a tree.--_n._ KNARL=GNARL.--_adj._ KNARRED, gnarled, knotty.

KNAVE, n[=a]v, _n._ a false, deceitful fellow: a villain: a card bearing the picture of a servant or soldier: (_Shak._) a boy.--_ns._ KNAVE'-BAIRN, a male child; KNAV'ERY, dishonesty; KNAVE'SHIP (_Scot._), a certain quantity of grain, the due of the miller.--_adj._ KNAV'ISH, fraudulent: villainous.--_adv._ KNAV'ISHLY.--_n._ KNAV'ISHNESS. [A.S. _cnafa_, _cnapa_, a boy, a youth; Ger. _knabe_, _knappe_.]

KNEAD, n[=e]d, _v.t._ to work and press together into a mass, as flour into dough: to operate upon in massage: to mix.--_ns._ KNEAD'ER; KNEAD'ING-TROUGH, a trough for kneading. [A.S. _cnedan_; Ice. _knodha_, Ger. _kneten_, to knead.]

KNEE, n[=e], _n._ the joint between the thigh and shin bones: a piece of timber or metal like a bent knee: (_Shak._) a genuflection.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to kneel to, to go over on one's knees.--_n.pl._ KNEE'-BREECH'ES, breeches extending to just below the knee, as in court-dress.--_n._ KNEE'-CAP, the bone above the protuberance of the knee: a cap or strong covering for the knees, used chiefly for horses, to save their knees in case of a fall.--_n.pl._ KNEE'-CORDS, knee-breeches of corduroy.--_adjs._ KNEE'-CROOK'ING, obsequious: fawning; KNEED, having knees: (_bot._) having angular joints like the knee; KNEE'-DEEP, rising to the knees: sunk to the knees; KNEE'-HIGH, rising or reaching to the knees.--_ns._ KNEE'-HOLL'Y, butcher's broom: KNEE'-JOINT, a joint with two pieces at an angle, so as to be very tight when pressed into a straight line; KNEE'-PAN, a flat, round bone on the front of the knee-joint; KNEE'-PIECE, or -RAFT'ER, an angular piece of timber strengthening a joint where two roof-timbers meet: any defensive appliance covering the knee; KNEE'-STOP, -SWELL, a lever worked by the performer's knee, for regulating the wind-supply of a reed-organ, &c.; KNEE'-TIM'BER, timber bent into a shape suitable for a knee in shipbuilding, &c.; KNEE'-TRIB'UTE (_Milt._), the homage of kneeling.--GIVE, or OFFER, A KNEE, to act as second or bottle-holder in a fight, the principal resting on the second's knee during the pauses between the rounds. [A.S. _cne['o]w_, _cne['o]_; Ger. _knie_, L. _genu_, Gr. _gonu_.]

KNEEL, n[=e]l, _v.i._ to bend the knee: to rest or fall on the knee:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ kneeled, knelt.--_n._ KNEEL'ER, one who kneels. [_Knee_.]

KNELL, nel, _n._ the stroke of a bell: the sound of a bell at a death or funeral.--_v.i._ to sound as a bell: toll.--_v.t._ to summon as by a tolling bell. [A.S. _cnyllan_, to beat noisily; Dut. and Ger. _knallen_.]

KNELT, nelt, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _kneel_.

KNEW, n[=u], _pa.t._ of know.

KNICKERBOCKERS, nik-[.e]r-bok'[.e]rz, _n.pl._ loose breeches gathered in at the knee.--Also KNICK'ERS. [From the wide-breeched Dutchmen in 'Knickerbocker's' (Washington Irving's) humorous _History of New York_, whence _Knickerbocker_ has come to mean the descendant of one of the original Dutch settlers of New York.]

KNICK-KNACK, nik'-nak, _n._ a trifle or toy.--_n._ KNICK'-KNACK'ERY, knick-knacks collectively. [A doubling of _knack_.]

KNIFE, n[=i]f, _n._ an instrument for cutting: a sword or dagger:--_pl._ KNIVES (n[=i]vz).--_v.t._ to stab with a knife: (_Amer._) to try to destroy a political candidate's chances by a treacherous attack.--_ns._ KNIFE'-AND-FORK', a trencherman; KNIFE'-BOARD, a board on which knives are cleaned: (_coll._) the seat running along the top of an omnibus; KNIFE'-BOY, a boy employed in cleaning knives; KNIFE'-EDGE (_mech._), a sharp piece of steel like a knife's edge serving as the axis of a balance, &c.; KNIFE'-GRIND'ER, one who grinds or sharpens knives; KNIFE'-MON'EY, a knife-shaped bronze currency formerly used in China; KNIFE'-REST, a glass or metal utensil on which to rest a carving-knife or fork; KNIFE'-TRAY, a tray for holding knives.--WAR TO THE KNIFE, mortal combat. [A.S. _cn['i]f_: Ger. _kneif_, knife, _kneifen_, to nip.]

KNIGHT, n[=i]t, _n._ one of gentle birth and bred to arms, admitted in feudal times to a certain honourable military rank: (_Shak._) an attendant: a champion: the rank, with the title 'Sir,' next below baronets: a piece used in the game of chess.--_v.t._ to create a knight.--_ns._ KNIGHT'AGE, the collective body of knights; KNIGHT'-BACH'ELOR, one who has been knighted merely, not made a member of any titular order; KNIGHT'-BANN'ERET, a knight who carried a banner, and who was superior in rank to the knight-bachelor; KNIGHT'-ERR'ANT, a knight who travelled in search of adventures; KNIGHT'-ERR'ANTRY; KNIGHT'HOOD, the character or privilege of a knight: the order or fraternity of knights; KNIGHT'HOOD-ERR'ANT (_Tenn._), the body of knights-errant.--_adj._ KNIGHT'LESS (_Spens._), unbecoming a knight.--_n._ KNIGHT'LINESS, the bearing or duties of a knight.--_adj._ and _adv._ KNIGHT'LY.--_ns._ KNIGHT'-MAR'SHAL, formerly an officer of the royal household; KNIGHT'-SERV'ICE, tenure by a knight on condition of military service.--KNIGHT OF INDUSTRY, a footpad, thief, or sharper; KNIGHT OF THE CARPET, a civil knight, as opposed to a military, so called because created kneeling on a carpet, not the field; KNIGHT OF THE PESTLE, an apothecary; KNIGHT OF THE POST, one familiar with the whipping-post or pillory; KNIGHT OF THE ROAD, a highwayman; KNIGHT OF THE SHIRE, a member of parliament for a county; KNIGHT'S FEE, the amount of land with which a knight was invested on his creation; KNIGHTS OF LABOUR, in the United States, a national labour organisation; KNIGHTS OF MALTA (see Hospitaller); KNIGHTS OF ST CRISPIN, shoemakers; KNIGHTS OF THE RAINBOW, flunkeys from their liveries; KNIGHTS OF THE SHEARS, tailors; KNIGHTS OF THE SPIGOT, tapsters, publicans; KNIGHTS OF THE STICK, compositors; KNIGHTS OF THE WHIP, coachmen; KNIGHTS TEMPLARS (see TEMPLAR). [A.S. _cniht_ Ger. and Dut. _knecht_, Dan. _knegt_.]

KNIT, nit, _v.t._ to form into a knot: to tie together: to unite into network by needles: to unite closely, to draw together: to contract.--_v.i._ to interweave with needles: to grow together:--_pr.p._ knit'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ knit'ted or knit.--_n._ (_Shak._) a style of knitting.--_ns._ KNIT'TER; KNIT'TING, the work of a knitter: union, junction: the network formed by knitting; KNIT'TING-MACHINE', a machine for knitting; KNIT'TING-NEED'LE, a long needle or wire used for knitting thread into stockings, &c. [A.S. _cnyttan_--_cnotta_, a knot.]

KNITCH, nich, _n._ (_prov._) a faggot.

KNITTLE, nit'l, _n._ (_naut._) a small line made of two or three yarns twisted with the fingers: (_pl._) the halves of two yarns in a rope, twisted for pointing.

KNIVES, _pl._ of _knife_.

KNOB, nob, _n._ a hard protuberance: a hard swelling: a round ball.--_adj._ KNOBBED, containing or set with knobs.--_n._ KNOB'BINESS.--_adj._ KNOB'BY, full of knobs: knotty.--_n._ KNOB'STICK (_slang_), a synonym for a blackleg or scab in trades-union slang. [_Knop_.]

KNOBKERRIE, nob'ker-i, _n._ a round-headed stick used as a club and a missile by the Kafirs.

KNOCK, nok, _v.i._ to strike with something hard or heavy: to drive or be driven against: to strike for admittance: to rap.--_v.t._ to strike: to drive against.--_n._ a sudden stroke: a rap.--_adj._ KNOCK'-DOWN, such as to overthrow.--_ns._ KNOCK'ER, the hammer suspended to a door for making a knock: a goblin inhabiting a mine who points out the presence of ore by knocks; KNOCK'ING, a beating on a door: a rap.--_adj._ KNOCK'-KNEED, having knees that knock or touch in walking.--KNOCK ABOUT (_slang_), to saunter, loaf about; KNOCK DOWN, to fell with a blow: assign to a bidder with a tap of the auctioneer's hammer; KNOCK INTO A COCKED HAT (see COCK); KNOCK OFF, to desist, cease: to accomplish hastily; KNOCK ON THE HEAD, to bring to a sudden stop; KNOCK OUT, to beat in a boxing match, to overcome generally: to lose the scent--of hounds in fox-hunting; KNOCK-OUT AUCTION, an auction where the bidders are largely swindling confederates; KNOCK TOGETHER, to get together or construct hastily; KNOCK UNDER, to give in, yield; KNOCK UP, to rouse by knocking: weary out, or be worn out: to construct hastily: (_U.S._) to get with child. [A.S. _cnucian_, _cnocian_; imit. like _knack_; cf. Gael. _cnac_, _cnag_, &c.]

KNOLL, n[=o]l, _n._ a round hillock: the top of a hill. [A.S. _cnol_; Ger. _knollen_, a knob, lump.]

KNOLL, n[=o]l. Same as KNELL.

KNOP, nop, _n._ (_B._) a knob, a bud. [A.S. _cnoep_; Dut. _knop_, Ger. _knopf_.]

KNOSP, nosp, _n._ the unopened bud of a flower: an architectural ornament resembling such. [Ger. _knospe_.]

KNOT, not, _n._ a wading-bird much resembling a snipe, sometimes said, but without evidence, to be named from King _Cnut_ or _Canute_.

KNOT, not, _n._ a bunch of threads or the like entangled or twisted: an interlacement of parts of a cord, &c., by twisting the ends about each other, and then drawing tight the loops thus formed: a piece of ribbon, lace, &c., folded or tied upon itself in some particular form, as _shoulder-knot_, _breast-knot_, &c.: anything like a knot in form: a bond of union: a difficulty: the gist of a matter: a cluster: the part of a tree where a branch shoots out: an epaulet: (_naut._) a division of the knot-marked log-line: a nautical mile.--_v.t._ to tie in a knot: to unite closely.--_v.i._ to form knots or joints: to knit knots for a fringe:--_pr.p._ knot'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ knot'ted.--_n._ KNOT'-GRASS, a common weed or grass, so called from the numerous joints or knots of its stem.--_adjs._ KNOT'LESS, without knots; KNOT'TED, full of, or having, knots: having intersecting lines or figures.--_n._ KNOT'TINESS.--_adj._ KNOT'TY, containing knots: hard, rugged: difficult: intricate.--_n._ KNOT'WORK, ornamental work made with knots.--BOWLINE KNOT (see BOW); GRANNY KNOT (see GRANNY); PORTERS' KNOT, a pad for supporting burdens on the head; SQUARE KNOT, a knot used in tying reef-points so that the ends come out alongside the standing parts; SURGEONS' KNOT, a square or reef knot used in tying a ligature round a cut artery; TRUE LOVERS' KNOT, a kind of double knot with two bows and two ends, an emblem of interwoven affections.--CUT THE KNOT, to solve a problem slap-dash (cf. GORDIAN). [A.S. _cnotta_; Ger. _knoten_, Dan. _knude_, L. _nodus_.]

KNOUT, nowt, _n._ a whip formerly used as an instrument of punishment in Russia: punishment inflicted by the knout. [Russ. _knute_.]

KNOW, n[=o], _v.t._ to be informed of: to be assured of: to be acquainted with: to recognise: (_B._) to approve: to have sexual commerce with.--_v.i._ to possess knowledge:--_pr.p._ kn[=o]w'ing; _pa.t._ knew (n[=u]); _pa.p._ known (n[=o]n).--_n._ (_Shak._) knowledge.--_adj._ KNOW'ABLE, capable of being known, discovered, or understood.--_ns._ KNOW'ABLENESS; KNOW'-ALL, one who thinks he knows everything; KNOW'ER.--_adj._ KNOW'ING, intelligent: skilful: cunning.--_adv._ KNOW'INGLY.--_ns._ KNOW'INGNESS, the quality of being knowing or intelligent: shrewdness; KNOW'-NOTH'ING, one who is quite ignorant: a member of the native American party (1854-56).--_adj._ completely ignorant.--KNOW A MOVE OR TWO, to be forearmed against trickery by a knowledge of the tricks; KNOW ON WHICH SIDE ONE'S BREAD IS BUTTERED, to be fully alive to one's own interest; KNOW THE ROPES, to understand the detail of any matter, as a sailor does his rigging; KNOW WHAT'S O'CLOCK, KNOW WHAT'S WHAT, to be thoroughly acquainted with something: to be wide awake. [A.S. _cn['a]wan_; Ice. _kn['a]_, L. _nosc[)e]re_ for _gnoscere_, Gr. _gign[=o]skein_.]

KNOWLEDGE, nol'ej, _n._ assured belief: that which is known: information, instruction: enlightenment, learning: practical skill.--_adj._ KNOWL'EDGEABLE (_coll._), possessing knowledge: intelligent.--_n._ KNOWL'EDGE-BOX (_slang_), the head.--TO ONE'S KNOWLEDGE, so far as one knows. [M. E. _knowleche_, where _-leche_ is the Northern form of the suffix in _wed-lock_, being A.S. _l['a]c_, gift, sport.]

KNUB, nub, _n._ a knob, a small lump: the waste or refuse of silk-cocoons.--Also KNUBS.

KNUCKLE, nuk'l, _n._ projecting joint of the fingers; (_cook._) the knee-joint of a calf or pig.--_v.i._ to bend the fingers: to touch the forehead as a mark of respect: to yield.--_v.t._ (_rare_) to touch with the knuckle.--_ns._ KNUCK'LE-BONES, a game (called also _Dibs_); KNUCK'LE-BOW, the curved part of a sword-guard that covers the fingers; KNUCK'LE-DUST'ER, a kind of modern cestus, devised as a protection against garrotters; KNUCK'LE-JOINT, a joint where the forked end of a connecting-rod is joined by a bolt to another piece of the machinery.--KNUCKLE DOWN, to apply one's self with vigour to a task: to submit--in this sense, also KNUCKLE UNDER. [M. E. _knokil_; cf. Dut. _knokkel_; prob. Celt., W. _cnwc_.]

KNURL, n[.e]rl, _n._ (_Burns_) a humpback.

KNURL. Same as GNARL, KNARL.

KNURR, KNUR, nur, _n._ a knot in wood: a wooden ball.--KNUR AND SPELL, a game played with a ball (_knur_), trap (_spell_), and tripstick, in vogue chiefly in the north of England. [Old Dut. _knorre_.]

KOA, k[=o]'a, _n._ a forest-tree of the Sandwich Islands.

KOALA, k[=o]-[:a]'l[:a], _n._ an Australian marsupial, called also 'Native Bear.'

KOB, kob, _n._ an African water-antelope.

KOBALT, _n._ Same as COBALT.

KOBANG, k[=o]'bang, _n._ an oblong gold coin, rounded at the corners, once current in Japan.--Also K[=O]'BAN.

KOBOLD, k[=o]'bold, _n._ in German folklore, a spirit of the mines. [Akin to _goblin_.]

KODAK, k[=o]'dak, _n._ a small portable photographic camera with a continuous roll of sensitised film, on which successive instantaneous negatives are made.--_v.t._ to take an instantaneous picture of. [The trademark name of the Eastman _Kodak_ Company.]

KOFF, kof, _n._ a small Dutch sailing-vessel.

KOFTGAR, koft'g[:a]r, _n._ one who inlays steel with gold.--_n._ KOFT'GARI, such work--sometimes KOFT'WORK. [Hind.]

KOHELETH, k[=o]-hel'eth, _n._ the Preacher, supposed to be applied to Solomon in Eccles. i. 12.

KOHL, k[=o]l, _n._ a fine powder of antimony used in the East for staining the eyes. [Ar.]

KOHLRABI, k[=o]l'r[=a]-bi, _n._ the turnip-cabbage. [Ger.,--It. _cavolo rapa_, cole-turnip.]

KOKRA, kok'ra, _n._ an Indian wood used for making flutes, &c.--Also _Cocus-wood_.

KOLA, k[=o]'l[:a], _n._ an African tree whose nuts or seeds have stimulant properties: a name given to an aerated non-alcoholic beverage.

KOLINSKY, ko-lin'ski, _n._ the Siberian polecat or mink.

KONISCOPE, kon'i-sk[=o]p, _n._ an instrument for indicating the quantity of dust in the atmosphere. [Gr. _konis_, dust, _skopein_, to look.]

KONISTRA, k[=o]-nis'tra, _n._ the orchestra or dancing-place in the ancient Greek theatre, a circular area between the stage and the auditorium.

KOODOO, k[=oo]'d[=oo], _n._ an African antelope with long spiral horns.

KOORBASH, k[=oo]r'bash, _n._ a whip of hippopotamus or rhinoceros hide, used in Egypt and elsewhere.--Also KOURBASH. [Ar. _kurb[=a]j_.]

KOORD, k[=oo]rd, _n._ Same as KURD.

KOPECK, k[=o]'pek, _n._ Same as COPECK.

KOPJE, kop'ye, _n._ a flat-topped hill. [Dut. _kop_, a top.]

KORAN, k[=o]'r[:a]n, _n._ the Mohammedan Scriptures: Alcoran.--_adj._ KORAN'IC. [Ar. _qur[=a]n_, reading.]

KOSHER, k[=o]'sh[.e]r, _adj._ pure, clean, according to the Jewish ordinances--as of meat killed and prepared by Jews. [Heb., from _y[=a]shar_, to be right.]

KOSMOS. Same as COSMOS.

KOTO, k[=o]'t[=o], _n._ a Japanese musical instrument consisting of an oblong box over which thirteen silk strings are stretched.

KOTOW, k[=o]-tow', _n._ the Chinese ceremony of prostration.--_v.i._ to perform that ceremony, to abase one's self.--Also KOWTOW'. [Chin.]

KOTYLISKOS, kot-i-lis'kos, _n._ a small Greek toilet-vase with a small foot.

KOUMISS, k[=oo]'mis, _n._ a Kalmuck intoxicating beverage made from the soured and fermented milk of mares--supposed to be good for pulmonary phthisis. [Russ.,--Tartar.]

KRAAL, kr[:a]l, _n._ a Hottentot village or hut [Dut. _kraal_--Port. _curral_--L. _curr[)e]re_.]

KRAKEN, kr[:a]'ken, _n._ a fabled sea-animal of enormous size. [Scand.]

KRANG, krang, _n._ the carcass of a whale after the blubber has been removed.--Also KRENG. [Dut.]

KRASIS, kr[=a]'sis, _n._ the act of adding a little water to the wine used for the Eucharist.--Also called _Mixture_. [Gr.]

KREATIN. Same as CREATIN.

KREESE. Same as CREESE.

KREMLIN, krem'lin, _n._ a citadel, specially that of Moscow. [Russ. _kremli_.]

KREOSOTE, kr[=e]'o-s[=o]t, _n._ Same as CREOSOTE.

KREUTZER, kroit'z[.e]r, _n._ a small copper coin of Austria, 100 to the florin or gulden--formerly also in South Germany. [Ger. _kreuzer_--_kreuz_, a cross, because formerly stamped with a cross.]

K'RI, kr[=e], _n._ a marginal reading in the Hebrew Bible, proposed in substitution for a k'thibh, or reading in the text. The word signifies _read_, and was originally a marginal direction. [Heb.]

KRIEGSPIEL, kr[=e]g'sp[=e]l, _n._ the 'war-game' played with metal blocks on a map, to train officers in military manoeuvres. [Ger. _krieg_, war, _spiel_, game.]

KRIS. Same as CREESE.

KRISHNA, krish'na, _n._ a deity in later Hindu mythology.

KRUMMHORN, krum'horn, _n._ a medieval clarinet-like instrument: a reed-stop in the organ. [Ger. _krumm_.]

KRUPSIS, kr[=oo]p'sis, _n._ (_theol._) the doctrine that Christ, during His state of humiliation, continued to possess in a veiled way the divine attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, &c. [Gr., _kryptein_, to conceal.]

KRYOMETER, kr[=i]-om'e-t[.e]r, _n._ a thermometer for measuring very low temperatures. [Gr. _kryos_, cold, _metron_, a measure.]

KSAR (_Milt._), a former spelling of _Czar_.

KSHATRIYA, kshat'ri-ya, _n._ the second or military caste among the Brahmanic Hindus.

K'THIBH, kth[=e]v, _n._ a textual reading in the Hebrew Scriptures:--opp. to _K'ri_. The word signifies _written_, and was originally a marginal note calling attention to the textual form in distinction from the k'ri. [Heb.]

KUDOS, k[=u]'dos, _n._ credit, fame, generally used jocularly. [Gr.]

KUDU. Same as KOODOO.

KUFIC. Same as CUFIC.

KUKLUX, k[=u]'kluks, or KUKLUX KLAN, a secret organisation in several Southern states after the Civil War of 1861-65, to oppose Northern influence in the South, and to prevent the negroes from enjoying their rights as freemen--crushed by United States forces in 1869. [Gr. _kuklos_, a circle.]

KUMISS. Same as KOUMISS.

K[:U]MMEL, k[:u]m'el, _n._ a liqueur flavoured with cumin and caraway seeds. [Ger.]

KURD, k[=oo]rd, _n._ an inhabitant of _Kurdistan_, a region on the east of the upper course of the Tigris.

KURSAAL, k[=oo]r's[:a]l, _n._ the reception-room of a German spa. [Ger., lit. 'cure-saloon.']

KVASS, kvas, _n._ rye-beer. [Russ. _kvas[)u]_.]

KYANISE, k[=i]'an-[=i]z, _v.t._ to preserve from dry-rot by injecting corrosive sublimate into the pores of the wood. [From John H. _Kyan_ (1774-1830).]

KYANITE, k[=i]'a-n[=i]t, _n._ Same as CYANITE.

KYE, Ky, k[=i], _n.pl._ Scotch form of the plural of _cow_. [See KINE.]

KYLIX, k[=i]'liks, _n._ a broad and shallow Greek drinking-vase.

KYLLOSIS, kil-l[=o]'sis, _n._ club-foot.

KYLOE, k[=i]'l[=o], _n._ one of the cattle of the Hebrides.

KYMOGRAPH, k[=i]'m[=o]-graf, _n._ an instrument for measuring the pressure of fluids, esp. of blood in a blood-vessel.--_adj._ KYMOGRAPH'IC. [Gr. _kyma_, a wave, _graphein_, to write.]

KYRIE, kir'i-[=e], _n._ the _Kyrie eleison_='Lord have mercy,' including both the words and the music to which they are sung: one of the responses to the commandments in the Anglican ante-communion service.--KYRIE ELEISON, a form of prayer which occurs in all the ancient Greek liturgies, and retained in the R.C. mass, following immediately after the introit. [Voc. case of Gr. _kyrios_, lord.]

KYRIOLOGIC, -al, kir-i-o-loj'ik, -al, _adj._ denoting objects by alphabetical characters or conventional signs. [Gr. _kyrios_, literal, proper, _logos_, discourse.]

KYTHE, k[=i]_th_, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to make known.--_v.i._ to show one's self, to appear. [A.S. _cydhan_, to make known. See UNCOUTH.]

* * * * *

L the twelfth letter in our alphabet, usually termed a liquid, but more correctly designated as a front palatal: (_chem._) the symbol for lithium: in Roman numerals, for 50, but [=L]=50,000.

LA, l[:a], _interj._ lo! see! behold! ah! indeed!--_n._ (_mus._) in solmisation, the syllable used for the sixth tone of the scale. [A.S. _l['a]_.]

LAAGER, l[:a]'g[.e]r, _n._ in South African campaigning, a camp made by a ring of ox-wagons set close together, the spaces beneath being filled up with the baggage of the company.--_v.t._ to arrange in such a defensive enclosure. [Dut., a variant of _leger_, a camp.]

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LABARUM, lab'a-rum, _n._ a Roman military standard adopted as the imperial standard after Constantine's conversion. It bore the Greek letters XP (Chr), joined in a monogram, to signify the name of Christ: a similar ecclesiastical banner borne in processions: any moral standard or guide. [Late Gr. _labaron_, origin unknown. Some make bold to derive from Basque _labaria_, a standard.]

LABDANUM. See LADANUM.

LABEFACTION, lab-e-fak'shun, _n._ a weakening decay--also LABEFACT[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ LAB'EFY, to impair. [L. _labefac[)e]re_, to shake.]

LABEL, l[=a]'bel, _n._ a small slip of writing affixed to anything to denote its contents, ownership, &c.: (_law_) a paper annexed to a will, as a codicil: (_her._) a fillet with pendants: (_archit._) the dripstone over a Gothic window or doorway arch.--_v.t._ to affix a label to: to describe by or on a label:--_pr.p._ l[=a]'belling; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ l[=a]'belled. [O. Fr. _label_ (Fr. _lambeau_); perh. from Old High Ger. _lappa_ (Ger. _lappen_).]

LABELLUM, la-bel'um, _n._ the lower petal of a flower, esp. an orchis. [L., dim. of _labium_, a lip.]

LABIAL, l[=a]'bi-al, _adj._ pertaining to the lips: formed by the lips.--_n._ a sound formed by the lips: a letter representing a sound formed either by both the lips, or by the upper lip and under teeth--_p_, _b_, _m_, _f_, _v_.--_v.t._ L[=A]'BIALISE.--_adv._ L[=A]'BIALLY.--_n.pl._ LABI[=A]'TAE, a natural order of gamopetalous plants, the mint family having four-cornered stems and opposite branches.--_adjs._ L[=A]'BIATE, -D (_bot._), having two unequal divisions, as in the monopetalous corolla of the mints.--_adj._ and _n._ LABIODEN'TAL, of a sound pronounced both by the lips and teeth: a letter representing such (_f_, _v_.).--_n._ L[=A]'BIUM, a lip or lip-like part:--_pl._ L[=A]'BIA. [Fr.,--L. _labium_, _labrum_, a lip.]

LABIS, l[=a]'bis, _n._ the cochlear or eucharistic spoon. [Late Gr. from _lambanein_, to take.]

LABORATORY, lab'or-a-tor-i, _n._ a chemist's workroom: a place where scientific experiments are systematically carried on: a place for the manufacture of arms and war material: a place where anything is prepared for use. [L. _labor[=a]re_--_labor_, work.]

LABOUR, l[=a]'bur, _n._ toil or exertion, esp. when fatiguing: work: pains: duties: a task requiring hard work: the pangs of childbirth.--_v.i._ to undergo labour: to work: to take pains: to be oppressed: to move slowly: to be in travail: (_naut._) to pitch and roll heavily.--_adj._ LAB[=O]'RIOUS, full of labour: toilsome: wearisome: devoted to labour: industrious.--_adv._ LAB[=O]'RIOUSLY.--_n._ LAB[=O]'RIOUSNESS.--_adj._ L[=A]'BOURED, bearing marks of labour or effort in the execution.--_ns._ L[=A]'BOURER, one who labours: one who does work requiring little skill; L[=A]'BOURIST, one who contends for the interests of workmen.--_adjs._ L[=A]'BOUR-SAV'ING, intended to supersede or lessen the labour of men; L[=A]'BOURSOME (_Shak._), made with labour and diligence.--LABOUR DAY, a legal holiday in some parts of the United States, as in New York (the first Monday in September); LABOUR MARKET, the supply of unemployed labour in relation to the demand for it; LABOUR OF LOVE, work undertaken merely as an act of friendliness, and without hope of emolument; LABOUR WITH, to take pains to convince.--HARD LABOUR, compulsory work imposed on certain criminals in addition to imprisonment. [O. Fr. _labour_, _labeur_--L. _labor_.]

LABRADORITE, lab'ra-d[=o]r-[=i]t, _n._ one of the group of the Feldspars, and a very important rock-forming mineral. [_Labrador_.]

LABRET, l[=a]'bret, _n._ a piece of bone, shell, &c. inserted into the lip by savages for ornament.--_adj._ L[=A]'BROSE, having thick lips.--_n._ L[=a]'brum, a lip or lip-like part:--_pl._ L[=A]'BRA. [L. _labrum_, _labium_, a lip.]

LABURNUM, la-bur'num, _n._ a small tree with large pendulous racemes of beautiful yellow flowers, a native of the Alps. [L.]