Thomas Davidson

“ 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. ”

“ Key, kē, n. an instrument for shutting or opening a lock: that by which something is screwed or turned: the middle stone of an arch: a piece of wood let into another piece crosswise to prevent warping: (mus.) one of the small levers in musical instruments for producing notes: the fundamental note of a piece of music: that which explains a mystery: a book containing answers to exercises, &c.—ns. Key′board, the keys or levers in a piano or organ arranged along a flat board; Key′-bū′gle, a bugle with keys, having a compass of two octaves including semitones.—adjs. Key′-cold (Shak.) ”

“ Kick′er, one who kicks, esp. a horse; Kick′-off, the first kick in a game of football; Kick′-up, a disturbance.—Kick over the traces, to throw off control; Kick, or Strike, the beam, to rise, as the lighter scale of a balance, so as to strike against the beam—hence to be of little weight or importance; Kick the bucket (see Bucket) ; Kick up a dust or row, to create a disturbance.—Drop kick, a kick made as the ball, dropped from the hand, rebounds from the ground; Place kick, a kick made when the ball is lying on the ground. ”

“ Keep one's countenance, to preserve a calm appearance, hiding one's emotions; Keep one's hand in, to retain one's skill by means of constant practice; Keep the breath to cool one's porridge, to confine attention to one's own affairs ”

“ 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.) ”

“ King′-like.—adj. King′ly, belonging or suitable to a king: royal: noble—also adv.—ns. King′-mak′er, one who has the creating of kings in his power; King′post, a perpendicular beam in the frame of a roof rising from the tie-beam to the ridge; King's′-cush′ion, a seat formed by two people's hands; King's′-ē′vil, a scrofulous disease or evil formerly supposed to be healed by the touch of the king; King′ship, the state, office, or dignity of a king; King's′-hood, the second stomach of a ruminant, sometimes humorously for the human stomach; King's′-spear, a plant of the genus Asphodel ”

“ Kiss′-me, the wild form of Viola tricolor, the pansy: a short veil: a small bonnet—also Kiss′-me-quick.—Kiss hands, to kiss the sovereign's hands on a minister's acceptance of office; Kiss of peace, a kiss of greeting exchanged between the members of the early Church, a shadow of which survives in the kissing of the pax at high mass; Kiss the book, to kiss a copy of the New Testament, in England, after taking a legal oath; Kiss the dust, to be felled to the ground, to be slain or vanquished; Kiss the gunner's daughter, to get a flogging, tied to the breech of a cannon ”

“ Keep the powder dry, to keep one's energies ready for action; Keep to, to stick closely to: to confine one's self to; Keep under, to hold down in restraint; Keep up, to retain one's strength or spirit: to support, prevent from falling: to continue, to prevent from ceasing: to maintain in good condition. ”

“ Knead, nēd, 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. knoða, Ger. kneten, to knead.]
Knee, nē, 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. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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, nėrl, 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.] ”

“ 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) . ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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.] ”

“ Kerf, kerf, n. the groove made by a saw: wool cut off at once by a wool-shearing machine: a single layer of hay, turf, &c., cut.
Kerion, kē′ri-on, n. a suppurative inflammation of the hair-follicles of the scalp. [Gr.]
Kerite, kē′rīt, n. a kind of artificial vulcanite of india-rubber and animal or vegetable oil. [Gr. kēros, wax.]
Kermes, kėr′mēz, n. a dye-stuff which consists of the bodies of the females of a species of coccus. [Pers.]
Kermess, kėr′mes, n. a wake or fair in the Low Countries. [Dut. kermis—kerk, church, mis, mass.] ”

“ 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 ”

“ Kill off, to exterminate; Kill time, to consume spare time, as with amusements, &c.; Kill two birds with one stone, to effect one thing by the way, or by the same means with which another thing is done ”

“ 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 ”

“ Kaka, kä′ka, n. a New Zealand parrot.—n. Ka′kapo, a nocturnal flightless New Zealand parrot.
Kakemono, kak-e-mō′nō, n. a Japanese wall-picture or decoration, painted on silk, gauze, or paper, and mounted on cylindrical rods.
Kaki, kä′kē, n. the persimmon of Japan, or Chinese date.
Kakistocracy, kak-is-tok′rā-si, n. government by the worst men in the state. [Gr. kakistos, superl. of kakos, bad, kratia, rule.] ”

“ Killdee, kil′dē, n. the largest variety of North American ring-plover. [Imit.]
Killock, kil′ok, n. a small anchor, the fluke of such.
Killogie, ki-lō′gi, n. (Scot.) the furnace of a kiln.
Killut, kil′ut, n. in India, a robe of honour given: any ceremonial present.—Also Kell′aut.
Kilmarnock, kil-mar′nok, n. a kind of closely woven broad bonnet, having a peak of the same material at the top, originally made at Kilmarnock.—Kilmarnock cowl, a kind of nightcap.
Kiln, kil, n. a large oven in which corn, bricks, hops, &c. are dried: bricks placed for burning.—v.t. Kiln′-dry, to dry in a kiln.—n. ”

“ Ice. kyn, Goth. kuni, family, race; cog. with L. genus, Gr. genos.]
Kinchin, kin′chin, n. a child in thieves' slang.—n. Kin′chin-mort, a child, generally a girl.—Kinchin lay, the robbing of children. [Cf. kidnap.]
Kincob, kin′kob, n. a rich silk-stuff made in India.
Kind, kīnd, n. those of kin, a race: sort or species, a particular variety: nature: style, method of action, character: produce, as distinguished from money.—adj. having the feelings natural for those of the same family: disposed to do good to others: benevolent.—adj. ”

“ 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, när, n. a knot on a tree.—n. Knarl=Gnarl.—adj. Knarred, gnarled, knotty.
Knave, nāv, 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 ”

“ Kitch′en-fee, the fat which falls from meat in roasting; Kitch′en-gar′den, a garden where vegetables are cultivated for the kitchen; Kitch′en-knave, a scullion; Kitch′en-maid, a maid or servant whose work is in the kitchen; Kitch′en-mid′den (Dan. kjökkenmödding) , a prehistoric rubbish-heap in Denmark, the north of Scotland, &c.; Kitch′en-phys′ic, substantial fare (Milt.) ; Kitch′en-range, a kitchen grate with oven, boiler, &c. attached, for cooking; Kitch′en-stuff, material used in kitchens: kitchen refuse, esp. fat from pots, &c.; Kitch′en-wench, a kitchen-maid. ”

“ Kelt, kelt, n. (Scot.) cloth made of black and white wool mixed and not dyed.—adj. Kel′ter, made of such.
Kelt, Keltic. Same as Celt, Celtic.
Keltie, Kelty, kel′ti, n. (Scot.) a bumper imposed as a penalty on one who does not drink fair.
Kemb, kem, v.t. to comb. [A.S. cemban, to comb.]
Kemp, kemp, n. the coarse rough hairs of wool: (pl.) knotty hair which will not felt.
Kemp, kemp, n. (arch.) a champion: (Scot.) a contest in work, &c.—v.i. to strive for mastery.—ns. Kem′per, Kem′pery-man, a champion, a knight-errant. [A.S. cempa, a warrior. Cf. champion.] ”

“ Katakana, kat-a-kä′na, n. one of the two styles of writing the syllabary of 48 letters in use among the Japanese (the other being Hiragana) , used chiefly for proper names and foreign words.
Katydid, kā-ti-did′, n. an American insect akin to the grasshopper. [Imit. of its note.]
Kauri-pine, kow′ri-pīn, n. a splendid forest-tree of New Zealand, yielding the well-known Kau′ri-gum, a resin used in making varnish. ”

“ Kid′ney-bean, a kind of bean shaped like a kidney; Kid′ney-potā′to, one of various kidney-shaped varieties of the common potato; Kid′ney-vetch, a genus of leguminous plants, the only British species being called Lady's Fingers; Kid′ney-wort, a plant of the genus Saxifrage. [M. E. kidnere—Ice. kviðr, the womb, the belly, Ice. nýra (Ger. niere, a kidney) .]
Kie-kie, kī′kī, n. a New Zealand high-climbing shrub.
Kieselguhr, kē′zl-gūr, n. the mineral remains of a species of algæ, used in the manufacture of dynamite. [Ger.,—kiesel, flint, guhr, fermentation.] ”

“ 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 ”

“ Kiwi, kē′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-mā′ni-a, n. a mania for stealing: a morbid impulse to secrete things.—n. Kleptomā′niac. [Gr. kleptein to steal, mania, madness.] ”