ki ['kē] -n
- chi
KIA -abbr
- killed in action
ki·ang [kē-'äŋ] -n
- an Asian wild ass ( Equus kiangsyn. E. hemionus kiang) usu. with reddish back and sides and white underparts, muzzle, and legs
kiaugh ['kyäk̲] -n
- trouble, anxiety
kib·be ['ki-bē] -n
- a Near Eastern dish of ground lamb and bulgur that is eaten cooked or raw
kib·ble ['ki-bəl] -vt
- to grind coarsely
kibble -n
- coarsely ground meal or grain (as for animal feed)
kib·butz [ki-'bu̇ts, -'büts] -n
- a communal farm or settlement in Israel
kib·butz·nik [-'bu̇t-snik, -'büt-] -n
- a member of a kibbutz
kibe ['kīb] -n
- an ulcerated chilblain esp. on the heel
- heel
ki·bitz ['ki-bəts, kə-'bits] -vb
- to act as a kibitzer
- to exchange comments : chat
- to observe as a kibitzer
- to be a kibitzer at
ki·bitz·er ['ki-bət-sər, kə-'bit-] -n
- one who looks on and often offers unwanted advice or comment
- a kibitzer at a card game
- one who offers opinions
ki·bosh ['kī-,bäsh, kī-'; ki-'bäsh] -n, vt
- something that serves as a check or stop
kick ['kik] -vb, adj
- to strike out with the foot or feet
- to make a kick in football
- to show opposition : resist, rebel
- to protest strenuously or urgently : express grave discontent
- complain
- to function with vitality and energy
- to recoil when fired
- to go from one place to another as circumstance or whim dictates
- to run at a faster speed during the last part of a race
- to strike, thrust, or hit with the foot
- to strike suddenly and forcefully as if with the foot
- to remove by a kicking motion
- to remove from a position or status
- to score by kicking a ball
- to heap reproaches upon (oneself)
- kick ed themselves for not going
- to free oneself of (as a drug habit)
- a blow or sudden forceful thrust with the foot
- a sudden propelling of a ball with the foot
- the power to kick
- a rhythmic motion of the legs used in swimming
- a burst of speed in racing
- a sudden forceful jolt or thrust suggesting a kick
- the recoil of a gun
- pocket, wallet
- a feeling or expression of opposition or objection
- a kick against the administration
- the grounds for objection
- an effect suggestive of a kick
- a stimulating or pleasurable effect or experience
- got a big kick out of meeting him
- pursuit of an absorbing or obsessive new interest
- kicker
kick around -vi
- to wander or pass time aimlessly
- to lie about mostly unnoticed or forgotten
- to undergo consideration usu. intermittently over a period of time
- ideas that have been kicking around for years
- to treat in an inconsiderate or high-handed fashion
- to consider, examine, or discuss from various angles
kickass ['kik-,as] -adj
- strikingly or overwhelmingly tough, aggressive, powerful, or effective
kick·back ['kik-,bak] -n
- a sharp violent reaction
- a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercion
- every city contract had been let with a ten percent kickback to city officials -- D. K. Shipler
kick back -vi
- to assume a relaxed position or attitude
- to spend time relaxing : take it easy
- spent the weekend just kicking back
kick·board [-,bȯrd] -n
- a buoyant rectangular board held by a swimmer while developing kicking techniques
kick·box·ing [-,bäk-siŋ] -n, vi
- boxing in which boxers are permitted to kick with bare feet as in karate
kick·er ['ki-kər] -n
- one that kicks or kicks something
- an unexpected and surprising remark, revelation, or set of circumstances
kick in -vt
- contribute
- die
- to make a contribution
- to begin operating or having an effect : get started
- waiting for the heater to kick in
kick·off ['kik-,ȯf] -n
- a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
- commencement
kick off -vi
- to start or resume play in football by a placekick
- to initiate proceedings
- to start out : begin
- the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
- die
- to mark the beginning of
kick out -vt
- to dismiss or eject forcefully or summarily
kick over -vi
- to begin to fire used of an internal combustion engine
- turn over
kick pleat -n
- a short inverted pleat (as at the bottom of a skirt) used to give breadth
kick·shaw ['kik-,shȯ] -n
- a fancy dish : delicacy
- trinket, gewgaw
kick·stand ['kik-,stand] -n
- a swiveling metal bar or rod attached to a 2-wheeled vehicle (as a bicycle) and used to prop up the vehicle when it is not in use
kickstart ['kik-,stärt] -vt, n
- to start (as a motorcycle) by means of a kick-starter
- jump-start
kickstart·er ['kik-,stär-tər] -n
- a motor starter (as on a motorcycle) that is activated by a thrust of the foot
kick turn -n
- a standing half turn in skiing made by swinging one ski high with a jerk and planting it in the desired direction and then lifting the other ski into a parallel position
kick·up ['kik-,əp] -n
- a noisy quarrel : row
kick up -vt
- to cause to rise upward
- clouds of dust kicked up by passing cars
- to stir up : provoke
- to give evidence of disorder
kicky ['ki-kē] -adj
- providing a kick or thrill : exciting
- excitingly fashionable
kid ['kid] -n, adj
- a young goat
- a young individual of various animals related to the goat
- the flesh, fur, or skin of a kid
- something made of kid
- a young person
- child often used as a generalized reference to one esp. younger or less experienced
- the kid on the pro golf tour
- to bring forth young used of a goat or an antelope
- younger
- to deceive as a joke
- it's the truth; I wouldn't kid you
- to fail to admit the truth to
- they're kidding themselves
- to make fun of
- to engage in good-humored fooling or horseplay often used with around
Kid·der·min·ster ['ki-dər-,min(t)-stər] -n
- an ingrain carpet called also Kidderminster carpet
kid·die ['ki-dē] -n
- a small child
kid·do ['ki-(,)dō] -n
- used as a familiar form of address
- child, kid
kid·dush ['ki-dəsh, -dish; ki-'düsh] -n
- a ceremonial blessing pronounced over wine or bread in a Jewish home or synagogue on a holy day (as the Sabbath)
kidglove ['kid-'gləv] -adj
- marked by extreme care or deference
kid glove ['kid-'gləvd] -n, adj
- a dress glove made of kid leather
kid leather -n
- a soft pliable leather made from kidskin
- a glove leather made from lambskin or goatskin
kid·nap ['kid-,nap] -vt, n
- to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kid·ney ['kid-nē] -n
- one of a pair of vertebrate organs situated in the body cavity near the spinal column that excrete waste products of metabolism, in humans are bean-shaped organs about 4 inches (11 centimeters) long lying behind the peritoneum in a mass of fatty tissue, and consist chiefly of nephrons by which urine is secreted, collected, and discharged into a main cavity whence it is conveyed by the ureter to the bladder
- any of various excretory organs of invertebrate animals
- the kidney of an animal eaten as food
- sort or kind esp. with regard to temperament
- a nice helpful guy, of a different kidney entirely from the...Secret Police -- Paula Lecler
kidney bean -n
- an edible and nutritious usu. kidney-shaped seed of any of various cultivated beans of the common species ( Phaseolus vulgaris)
- a large dark red kidney bean
- a plant bearing kidney beans
kidney stone -n
- a calculus (as of calcium salts) in the kidney
kid·skin ['kid-,skin] -n
- the skin of a young or sometimes a mature goat
- kid leather
kid stuff -n
- something befitting or appropriate only to children
- something extremely simple or easy
kiel·ba·sa [kēl-'bä-sə, kil- also ki-'bä-sə] -n
- a smoked sausage of Polish origin
kie·sel·guhr ['kē-zəl-,gu̇r] -n
- loose or porous diatomite
kie·ser·ite ['kē-zə-,rīt] -n
- a mineral that is a white hydrous magnesium sulfate
kif ['kēf, 'kef, 'kāf] -n
(variant of kef)
- a state of dreamy tranquillity
- a smoking material (as marijuana) that produces kef
kike ['kīk] -n
- jew
Ki·kon·go [kē-'käŋ-(,)gō] -n
- kongo
Ki·ku·yu [kē-'kü-(,)yü] -n
- a member of a Bantu-speaking people of Kenya
- the Bantu language of the Kikuyu people
kil·der·kin ['kil-dər-kən] -n
- an English unit of capacity equal to barrel
- cask
ki·lim [kē-'lēm] -n
- a pileless handwoven reversible rug or covering made in Turkey, Kurdistan, the Caucasus, Iran, and western Turkestan
kill ['kil] -vb
- to deprive of life : cause the death of
- to slaughter (as a hog) for food
- to convert a food animal into (a kind of meat) by slaughtering
- to put an end to
- defeat, veto
- to mark for omission
- delete
- annihilate, destroy
- to destroy the vital or essential quality of
- kill ed the pain with drugs
- to cause to stop
- to check the flow of current through
- to make a markedly favorable impression on
- to get through uneventfully
- to get through (the time of a penalty) without being scored on
- to cause extreme pain to
- to tire almost to the point of collapse
- to hit (a shot) so hard in various games that a return is impossible
- to consume (as a drink) totally
- to deprive one of life
- to make a markedly favorable impression
- an act or instance of killing
- a decisive act that conclusively secures something (as a deal or win)
- : something killed: as
- an animal shot in a hunt
- animals killed in a hunt, season, or particular period of time
- an enemy unit (as an airplane or ship) destroyed by military action
- a return shot in any of various games (as badminton, handball, or table tennis) that is too hard for an opponent to handle
- channel, creek used chiefly in place names in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York
kill·deer ['kil-,dir] -n
- an American plover ( Charadrius vociferus) characterized by two black breast bands and a plaintive penetrating cry
killed ['kild] -adj
- being or containing a virus that has been inactivated (as by chemicals) so that it is no longer infectious
kill·er ['ki-lər] -n
- one that kills
- killer whale
- one that has a forceful, violent, or striking impact
- one that is extremely difficult to deal with
killer -adj
- strikingly impressive or effective
- extremely difficult to deal with
- causing death or devastation
killer app -n
- a computer application of such great value or popularity that it assures the success of the technology with which it is associated
- a feature or component that in itself makes something worth having or using
killer bee -n
- africanized bee
killer cell -n
- a lymphocyte (as a killer T cell or a natural killer cell) with cytotoxic activity
killer instinct -n
- an aggressive tenacious urge for domination in a struggle to attain a set goal
killer T cell -n
- a T cell that functions in cell-mediated immunity by destroying a cell (as one infected with a virus) having specific antigenic molecules on its surface called also cytotoxic T cell
killer whale -n
- a small gregarious toothed whale ( Orcinus orcaof the family Delphinidae) that is black with a white ventral side and white oval-shaped patches behind the eyes and attains a length of 20 to 30 feet (6.1 to 9.1 meters) called also orca
kil·li·fish ['ki-li-,fish] -n
- any of a family (Cyprinodontidae) of numerous small oviparous fishes much used as bait and in mosquito control
- any of various live-bearers (family Poeciliidae)
kill·ing ['ki-liŋ] -n
- the act of one that kills
- kill
- a sudden notable gain or profit
- made a killing in the stock market
killing [-lē] -adj, adv
- that kills or relates to killing
- highly amusing
- extremely difficult to deal with
- calling for great strength, stamina, or endurance
killing field -n
- a scene of mass killing (as from a battle or massacre)
kill·joy ['kil-,jȯi] -n
- one who spoils the pleasure of others
kill off -vt
- to destroy in large numbers or totally
kiln ['kiln, 'kil] -n, vt
- an oven, furnace, or heated enclosure used for processing a substance by burning, firing, or drying
ki·lo ['kē-(,)lō also 'ki-] -n
- kilogram
Kilo
- a communications code word for the letter k
kilo- -comb form
- thousand
ki·lo·bar ['kē-lə-,bär, 'ki-lə-] -n
- a unit of pressure equal to 1000 bars
ki·lo·base [-,bās] -n
- a unit of measure of the length of a nucleic-acid chain that equals one thousand base pairs
ki·lo·bit [-,bit] -n
- 1000 bits
- 1024 bits
ki·lo·byte [-,bīt] -n
- 1024 bytes
ki·lo·cal·o·rie [-,ka-lə-rē, -'kal-rē] -n
- calorie
- calorie
kilo·cy·cle ['ki-lə-,sī-kəl] -n
- 1000 cycles
- kilohertz
ki·lo·gauss ['kē-lə-,gau̇s, 'ki-lə-] -n
- 1000 gauss
ki·lo·gram [-,gram] -n
- the base unit of mass in the International System of Units that is equal to the mass of a prototype agreed upon by international convention and that is nearly equal to the mass of 1000 cubic centimeters of water at the temperature of its maximum density
- a unit of force or weight equal to the weight of a kilogram mass under a gravitational attraction equal to that of the earth
kilogrammeter -n
- the meter-kilogram-second gravitational unit of work and energy equal to the work done by a kilogram force acting through a distance of one meter in the direction of the force : about 7.235 foot-pounds
ki·lo·hertz ['ki-lə-,hərts, 'kē-lə-, -,herts] -n
- 1000 hertz
ki·lo·joule [-,jül] -n
- 1000 joules
- a unit in nutrition equivalent to 0.239 calorie
ki·lo·me·ter [kə-'lä-mə-tər, ki-; 'ki-lə-,mē-tər] -n
- a metric unit or length equal to 1000 meters
ki·lo·par·sec ['ki-lə-,pär-,sek, 'kē-lə-] -n
- 1000 parsecs
ki·lo·pas·cal [,ki-lə-,pas-'kal] -n
- 1000 pascals
ki·lo·rad ['ki-lə-,rad] -n
- 1000 rads
ki·lo·ton [-,tən also -,tän] -n
- 1000 tons
- an explosive force equivalent to that of 1000 tons of TNT
ki·lo·volt [-,vōlt] -n
- a unit of potential difference equal to 1000 volts
kilo·watt ['ki-lə-,wät] -n
- 1000 watts
kilowatthour -n
- a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour or to 3.6 million joules
kilt ['kilt] -vb
- to tuck up (as a skirt)
- to equip with a kilt
- to move nimbly
- a knee-length pleated skirt usu. of tartan worn by men in Scotland and by Scottish regiments in the British armies
- a garment that resembles a Scottish kilt
kil·ter ['kil-tər] -n
- proper or usual state or condition : order
kilt·ie ['kil-tē] -n
- one who wears a kilt
- a shoe with a long slashed tongue that folds over the instep
- such a tongue
kim·ber·lite ['kim-bər-,līt] -n
- an agglomerate biotite-peridotite that occurs in pipes esp. in southern Africa and that often contains diamonds
Kim·bun·du [kim-'bu̇n-(,)dü] -n
- a Bantu language of northern Angola
kim·chi ['kim-chē] -n
- a vegetable pickle seasoned with garlic, red pepper, and ginger that is the national dish of Korea
ki·mo·no [kə-'mō-(,)nō, -nə] -n, adj
- a long robe with wide sleeves traditionally worn with a broad sash as an outer garment by the Japanese
- a loose dressing gown or jacket
kin ['kin] -n
- a group of persons of common ancestry : clan
- one's relatives : kindred
- kinsman
- he wasn't any kin to you -- Jean Stafford
- kinship
- kindred, related
ki·na·ra [kē-'nä-rə] -n
- a candelabra with seven candlesticks used in celebrating Kwanzaa
ki·nase ['kī-,nās, -,nāz] -n
- any of various enzymes that catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups from a high-energy phosphate-containing molecule (as ATP) to a substrate
kind ['kīnd] -n
- nature
- family, lineage
- manner
- fundamental nature or quality : essence
- a group united by common traits or interests : category
- a specific or recognized variety
- what kind of car do you drive
- a doubtful or barely admissible member of a category
- goods or commodities as distinguished from money
- the equivalent of what has been offered or received
- affectionate, loving
- of a sympathetic or helpful nature
- of a forbearing nature : gentle
- arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance
- of a kind to give pleasure or relief
kin·der·gar·ten ['kin-də(r)-,gär-tᵊn, -dᵊn] -n
- a school or class for children usu. from four to six years old
kin·der·gart·ner [-,gärt-nər, -,gärd-] -n
- a teacher at a kindergarten
- a child attending or of an age to attend kindergarten
kind·heart·ed [,kīnd-'här-təd] -adj, adv, n
- having or showing a sympathetic nature
kin·dle ['kin-dᵊl] -vb, n
- to start (a fire) burning : light
- to stir up : arouse
- to bring into being : start
- to cause to glow : illuminate
- to catch fire
- to flare up
- to become animated
- to become illuminated
kindle -vb
- bear used esp. of a rabbit
- to bring forth young used esp. of a rabbit
kind·less ['kīn(d)-ləs] -adj, adv
- inhuman
- disagreeable, uncongenial
kind·li·ness ['kīn(d)-lē-nəs] -n
- the quality or state of being kindly
- a kindly deed
kin·dling ['kin(d)-liŋ, 'kin-lən] -n
- easily combustible material for starting a fire
kind·ly ['kīn(d)-lē] -adj
- natural
- lawful
- of an agreeable or beneficial nature : pleasant
- of a sympathetic or generous nature
kindly -adv
- in the normal way : naturally
- old wounds which had healed kindly -- Amer. Mercury
- readily
- did not take kindly to suggestions
- in a kind manner : sympathetically
- as a gesture of goodwill
- would take it kindly if you would put in a good word
- in a gracious manner : courteously
- they kindly invited us along
- as a matter of courtesy : please
- would you kindly order me a cab
- somewhat, kind of
- it's kindly embarrassing -- Walter Davis
kind·ness ['kīn(d)-nəs] -n
- a kind deed : favor
- the quality or state of being kind
- affection
kind of -adv
- to a moderate degree : somewhat
- it's kind of late to begin
- in a way that approximates : more or less
kin·dred ['kin-drəd] -n
- a group of related individuals
- one's relatives
- family relationship : kinship
kindred -adj
- of a similar nature or character : like
- of the same ancestry
kine ['kau̇] -n, adj
(variant of cow)
- the mature female of cattle (genus Bos)
- the mature female of various usu. large animals (as an elephant, whale, or moose)
- a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age
- to destroy the resolve or courage of
- to bring to a state or an action by intimidation used with into
- like too many Asian armies, adept at cow ing a population into feeding them -- Edward Lansdale
kin·e·ma ['si-nə-mə, Brit also -,mä] -n
(variant of cinema)
- motion picture usu. used attributively
- a motion-picture theater
- movies
- the film industry
- the art or technique of making motion pictures
ki·ne·mat·ics [,ki-nə-'ma-tiks also ,kī-] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, adv
- a branch of dynamics that deals with aspects of motion apart from considerations of mass and force
ki·ne·scope ['ki-nə-,skōp also 'kī-] -n
- picture tube
- a motion picture made from an image on a picture tube
kinescope -vt
- to make a kinescope of
ki·ne·sics [kə-'nē-siks, kī-, -ziks] -n pl but sing in constr
- a systematic study of the relationship between nonlinguistic body motions (as blushes, shrugs, or eye movement) and communication
ki·ne·si·ol·o·gy [kə-,nē-sē-'ä-lə-jē, kī-, -zē-] -n
- the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement
ki·ne·sis [kə-'nē-səs, kī-] -n
- a movement that lacks directional orientation and depends upon the intensity of stimulation
kin·es·the·sia [,ki-nəs-'thē-zh(ē-)ə, ,kī-] -n, adj, adv
- a sense mediated by receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints and stimulated by bodily movements and tensions
- sensory experience derived from this sense
kinet- -comb form
- movement : motion
ki·net·ic [kə-'ne-tik also kī-] -adj, adv
- of or relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces and energy associated therewith
- active, lively
- dynamic, energizing
- of or relating to kinetic art
kinetic art -n
- art (as sculpture or assemblage) having mechanical parts which can be set in motion
kinetic energy -n
- energy associated with motion
ki·net·i·cist [kə-'ne-tə-sist also kī-] -n
- a specialist in kinetics
- a person who works in kinetic art : kinetic artist
ki·net·ics [kə-'ne-tiks also kī-] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a branch of science that deals with the effects of forces upon the motions of material bodies or with changes in a physical or chemical system
- the rate of change in such a system
- the mechanism by which a physical or chemical change is effected
kinetic theory -n
- : either of two theories in physics based on the fact that the minute particles of a substance are in vigorous motion:
- a theory that the temperature of a substance increases with an increase in either the average kinetic energy of the particles or the average potential energy of separation (as in fusion) of the particles or in both when heat is added called also kinetic theory of heat
- a theory that the particles of a gas move in straight lines with high average velocity, continually encounter one another and thus change their individual velocities and directions, and cause pressure by their impact against the walls of a container called also kinetic theory of gases
ki·ne·tin ['kī-nə-tən] -n
- a cytokinin C 10H 9N 5O used esp. to stimulate cell division in plant tissue culture
ki·net·o·chore [kə-'ne-tə-,kȯr, kī-] -n
- centromere
- a specialized structure on the centromere to which the microtubular spindle fibers attach during mitosis and meiosis
ki·net·o·plast [kə-'ne-tə-,plast, kī-] -n
- a DNA-containing organelle esp. of trypanosomes usu. found in an elongated mitochondrian located adjacent to the basal body
ki·net·o·scope [kə-'ne-tə-,skōp, kī-] -n
- a device for viewing through a magnifying lens a sequence of pictures on an endless band of film moved continuously over a light source and a rapidly rotating shutter that creates an illusion of motion
ki·net·o·some [-,sōm] -n
- basal body
kin·folk ['kin-,fōk] -n pl
- relatives
king ['kiŋ] -n
- a male monarch of a major territorial unit
- one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life
- a paramount chief
- god, christ
- one that holds a preeminent position
- a chief among competitors
- the principal piece of each color in chess having the power to move ordinarily one square in any direction and to capture opposing pieces but being obliged never to enter or remain in check
- a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a king
- a checker that has been crowned
- chinook salmon
king·bird [-,bərd] -n
- any of various American tyrant flycatchers (genus Tyrannus) that are gray above and white, gray, or yellow below
king·bolt [-,bōlt] -n
- a vertical bolt by which the forward axle and wheels of a vehicle or the trucks of a railroad car are connected with the other parts
King Charles spaniel [-'chär(-ə)lz-] -n
- English toy spaniel
- cavalier King Charles spaniel not used technically
king cobra -n
- a large cobra ( Ophiophagus hannahsyn. Naja hannah) of southeastern Asia and the Philippines that may attain a length of 18 feet (5.5 meters)
king crab -n
- horseshoe crab
- any of several very large crabs
- one ( Paralithoides camtschaticus) of the No. Pacific caught commercially for food
king·craft ['kiŋ-,kraft] -n
- the art of governing as a king
king·cup [-,kəp] -n
- any of several plants of the buttercup family
- marsh marigold
king·dom ['kiŋ-dəm] -n
- kingship
- a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen
- the eternal kingship of God
- the realm in which God's will is fulfilled
- a realm or region in which something is dominant
- an area or sphere in which one holds a preeminent position
- one of the three primary divisions into which natural objects are commonly classified
- a major category (as Plantae or Protista) in biological taxonomy that ranks above the phylum and below the domain
kingdom come -n
- the next world : heaven
king·fish ['kiŋ-,fish] -n
- any of several marine croakers (family Sciaenidae)
- any of three fishes ( Menticirrhus americanus, M. littoralis,and M. saxatilis) of shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean
- a small silvery food and sport fish ( Genyonemus lineatus) of inshore waters esp. of California called also white croaker
- king mackerel
- an undisputed master in an area or group
king·fish·er [-,fi-shər] -n
- any of numerous nonpasserine birds (family Alcedinidae) that are usu. crested and bright-colored with a short tail and a long stout sharp bill
King James Version [-'jāmz-] -n
- authorized version
king·let ['kiŋ-lət] -n
- a weak or petty king
- any of several small birds (genus Regulus) that are related to the gnatcatchers
king·ly ['kiŋ-lē] -adj, n, adv
- having royal rank
- of, relating to, or befitting a king
- monarchical
king mackerel -n
- a mackerel ( Scomberomorus cavalla) of the western Atlantic Ocean that is noted esp. as a fighting sport fish
king·mak·er ['kiŋ-,mā-kər] -n
- one having great influence over the choice of candidates for political office
king of arms
- an officer of arms of the highest rank
king penguin -n
- a large penguin ( Aptenodytes patagonicus) chiefly of subantarctic areas with a yellow patch on the upper breast
king·pin ['kiŋ-,pin] -n
- : any of several bowling pins: as
- headpin
- the pin that stands in the middle of a triangular arrangement of bowling pins
- the chief person in a group or undertaking
- kingbolt
- a pin connecting the two parts of a knuckle joint (as in an automobile steering linkage)
king post -n
- a vertical member connecting the apex of a triangular truss (as of a roof) with the base
Kings ['kiŋz] -n pl but sing in constr
- either of two narrative and historical books of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture
- any of four narrative and historical books in the former Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament
king salmon -n
- chinook salmon
King's Bench -n
- a division in the English superior courts system that hears civil and criminal cases
King's Counsel -n
- a barrister selected to serve as counsel to the British crown
King's English -n
- standard, pure, or correct English speech or usage
king's evil -n
- scrofula
king·ship ['kiŋ-,ship] -n
- the position, office, or dignity of a king
- the personality of a king
- government by a king
king·side [-,sīd] -n
- the side of a chessboard containing the file on which the king sits at the beginning of the game
kingsize [-,sīz] -adj
- longer than the regular or standard size
- unusually large
- having dimensions of approximately 76 by 80 inches (about 1.9 by 2.0 meters) used of a bed
- of a size that fits a king-size bed
king snake -n
- any of numerous brightly marked colubrid snakes (genus Lampropeltis) chiefly of No. and Central America
king's ransom -n
- a very large sum of money
king·wood [-,wu̇d] -n
- the wood of any of several tropical American leguminous trees (esp. genus Dalbergia)
- the wood of a Brazilian tree ( D. cearensis) used esp. for furniture
ki·nin ['kī-nən] -n
- any of various polypeptide hormones that are formed locally in the tissues and cause dilation of blood vessels and contraction of smooth muscle
- cytokinin
kink ['kiŋk] -n
- a short tight twist or curl caused by a doubling or winding of something upon itself
- a mental or physical peculiarity : eccentricity, quirk
- whim
- a clever unusual way of doing something
- a cramp in some part of the body
- an imperfection likely to cause difficulties in the operation of something
- unconventional sexual taste or behavior
- to form a kink
- to make a kink in
kin·ka·jou ['kiŋ-kə-,jü] -n
- a nocturnal arboreal omnivorous mammal ( Potos flavus) found from Mexico to So. America that is related to the raccoon and has a long prehensile tail, large eyes, and yellowish brown fur
kinky ['kiŋ-kē] -adj, adv, n
- closely twisted or curled
- relating to, having, or appealing to unconventional tastes esp. in sex
- sexually deviant
- outlandish, far-out
kin·ni·kin·nick [,ki-ni-kə-'nik, 'ki-ni-kə-,] -n
- a mixture of dried leaves and bark and sometimes tobacco smoked by the Indians and pioneers esp. in the Ohio valley
- a plant (as a sumac or dogwood) used in kinnikinnick
- bearberry
kin selection -n
- a theory of natural selection which states that a usu. altruistic behavior or attribute that lowers the fitness of a particular individual is selected for if it increases the probability of survival and reproduction of related kin who possess some or all of the same genes as the altruistic individual
kins·folk ['kinz-,fōk] -n pl
- relatives
kin·ship ['kin-,ship] -n
- the quality or state of being kin : relationship
kins·man ['kinz-mən] -n
- relative
- a male relative
kins·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a female relative
ki·osk ['kē-,äsk] -n
- an open summerhouse or pavilion
- a small structure with one or more open sides that is used to vend merchandise (as newspapers) or services (as film developing)
- a small stand-alone device providing information and services on a computer screen
- a museum with interactive kiosk s
Ki·o·wa ['kī-ə-,wȯ, -,wä, -,wā] -n
- a member of an American Indian people of what are now Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
- the language of the Kiowa people
kip ['kip] -n
- a bundle of undressed hides of young or small animals
- one of the hides
- bed
- ready for the kip after this screwball day -- K. M. Dodson
- sleep, nap
- roused the...family from their kip -- Sylvia Margolis
- sleep sometimes used with down
- kip down on a spare bed -- Alice Glenday
- a unit of weight equal to 1000 pounds (454 kilograms) used to express deadweight load
kip·per ['ki-pər] -n
- a male salmon or sea trout during or after the spawning season
- a kippered herring or salmon
kipper [-p(ə-)riŋ] -vt, n
- to cure (split dressed fish) by salting and smoking
kirk ['kirk, 'kərk] -n
- church
- the national church of Scotland as distinguished from the Church of England or the Episcopal Church in Scotland
Kir·li·an photography ['kir-lē-ən-] -n
- a process in which an image is obtained by application of a high-frequency electric field to an object so that it radiates a characteristic pattern of luminescence that is recorded on photographic film
Kir·man [kər-'män, kir-] -n
- a Persian carpet or rug characterized by elaborate fluid designs and soft colors
kirsch ['kirsh] -n
- a dry colorless brandy distilled from the fermented juice of the black morello cherry
Kirt·land's warbler ['kərt-lən(d)z-] -n
- a rare warbler ( Dendroica kirtlandii) of northeastern No. America that breeds in Michigan and winters in the Bahamas
kir·tle ['kər-tᵊl] -n
- a tunic or coat worn by men esp. in the Middle Ages
- a long gown or dress worn by women
kish·ke ['kish-kə] -n
- beef or fowl casing stuffed (as with meat, flour, and spices) and cooked
Kis·lev ['kis-ləf] -n
- the third month of the civil year or the ninth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar
kis·met ['kiz-,met, -mət] -n
- fate
- fate
kiss ['kis] -vb, adj
- to touch with the lips esp. as a mark of affection or greeting
- kiss ed his wife good-bye
- to touch gently or lightly
- wind gently kiss ing the trees
- to salute or caress one another with the lips
- to come in gentle contact
- a caress with the lips
- a range of kiss es from a passionate embrace to a friendly peck
- a gentle touch or contact
- a small drop cookie made of meringue
- a bite-size piece of candy often wrapped in paper or foil
- an expression of affection
- sent him kiss es in her letter
kissandtell ['kis-ᵊn(d)-'tel] -adj
- telling details of private matters
- kissandtell autobiographies
kiss·er ['ki-sər] -n
- one that kisses
- mouth
- face
kissing bug -n
- any of various large bloodsucking bugs and esp. some assassin bugs (genus Triatoma) including some capable of inflicting painful bites called also conenose
kissing cousin -n
- a person and esp. a relative whom one knows well enough to kiss more or less formally upon meeting
- one that is closely related in kind to something else
kissing disease -n
- infectious mononucleosis
kiss of death
- something (as an act or association) ultimately causing ruin
kiss off ['ki-,sȯf] -vt, n
- to dismiss usu. lightly
- kisses the other performers off as mere amateurs
kiss of life
- artificial respiration by the mouth-to-mouth method
kiss of peace
- a ceremonial kiss, embrace, or handclasp used in Christian liturgies and esp. the Eucharist as a sign of fraternal unity
kist ['kist] -n
- chest
kit ['kit] -n
- a wooden tub
- a collection of articles usu. for personal use
- a set of tools or implements
- a set of parts to be assembled or worked up
- a packaged collection of related material
- gear
- run over to my billet and get some overnight kit -- Lionel Shapiro
- a container for any of such sets or collections
- a group of persons or things usu. used in the phrase the whole kit and caboodle
- equip, outfit often used with up or out
- a small narrow violin
- kitten
- a young or undersized fur-bearing animal
- its pelt
- kitchen
kit bag -n
- knapsack
- a suitcase usu. with sides that fasten at the top or open to the full width of the bag
kitch·en ['ki-chən] -n
- a place (as a room) with cooking facilities
- the personnel that prepares, cooks, and serves food
- cuisine
kitchen cabinet -n
- an informal group of advisers to one in a position of power (as the head of a government)
- a cupboard with drawers and shelves for use in a kitchen
kitch·en·ette [,ki-chə-'net] -n
- a small kitchen or an alcove containing cooking facilities
kitchen garden -n
- a garden in which plants (as vegetables or herbs) for use in the kitchen are cultivated
kitchen midden -n
- a refuse heap
- a mound marking the site of a primitive human habitation
kitchen police -n
- kp
- the work of KPs
kitch·ensink [-'siŋk] -adj
- portraying or emphasizing the squalid aspects of modern life
- the kitchensink realism of contemporary British drama -- Current Biog.
- being or made up of a hodgepodge of disparate elements or ingredients
kitch·en·ware [-,wer] -n
- utensils and appliances for use in a kitchen
kite ['kīt] -n, adj
- any of various usu. small hawks (family Accipitridae) with long narrow wings and often a notched or forked tail
- a person who preys on others
- a light frame covered with paper, cloth, or plastic, often provided with a stabilizing tail, and designed to be flown in the air at the end of a long string
- a check drawn against uncollected funds in a bank account or fraudulently raised before cashing
- a light sail used in a light breeze usu. in addition to the regular working sails
- spinnaker
- to use (a bad check) to get credit or money
- to cause to soar
- kited the prices they charged wealthy clients
- to go in a rapid, carefree, or flighty manner
- to rise rapidly : soar
- to get money or credit by a kite
kite·board·ing ['kīt-,bȯr-diŋ] -n
- the sport of riding on a small surfboard that is propelled across water by a large kite to which the rider is harnessed called also kitesurfing
kit fox -n
- swift fox
- a fox ( Vulpes macrotis) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico with exceptionally large ears and a black tip on the tail
- the fur or pelt of a kit fox
kith ['kith] -n
- familiar friends, neighbors, or relatives
kith·a·ra ['ki-thə-rə] -n
- an ancient Greek stringed instrument similar to but larger than the lyre and having a box-shaped resonator
kithe ['kīth] -vb
- to make known
- to become known
kitsch ['kich] -n, adj
- something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality
- a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition
- teetering on the brink of kitsch -- Ron Miller
kit·ten ['ki-tᵊn] -n
- a young cat
- an immature or young individual of various other small mammals
kitten ['kit-niŋ, 'ki-tᵊn-iŋ] -vi
- to give birth to kittens
kitten heel -n
- a short stiletto heel on women's shoes
kit·ten·ish ['kit-nish, 'ki-tᵊn-ish] -adj, adv, n
- resembling a kitten
- coyly playful
kit·ti·wake ['ki-tē-,wāk] -n
- either of two cliff-nesting gulls ( Rissa tridactylaand R. brevirostris) that winter on the open ocean
kit·tle ['ki-tᵊl] -vt
- tickle
- perplex
kittle -adj
- ticklish, touchy
kit·ty ['ki-tē] -n
- cat
- kitten
kitty -n
- a fund in a poker game made up of contributions from each pot
- a sum of money or collection of goods often made up of small contributions : pool
kit·tycor·ner ['ki-tē-,kȯr-nər, 'ka-tē-, 'ka-tə-] -adv or adj
- in a diagonal or oblique position
- the house stood kittycorner across the square
ki·va ['kē-və] -n
- a Pueblo Indian ceremonial structure that is usu. round and partly underground
Ki·wa·ni·an [kə-'wä-nē-ən] -n
- a member of a major national and international service club
ki·wi ['kē-(,)wē] -n
- any of a small genus ( Apteryx) of flightless New Zealand birds with rudimentary wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike plumage
- a native or resident of New Zealand used as a nickname
- kiwifruit
ki·wi·fruit [-,früt] -n
- the edible fruit of a Chinese gooseberry having a fuzzy brown skin and slightly acidic typically green flesh