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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, nar, _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. _knoa_, 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. _cneow_, _cneo_; 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. _cnif_: 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. _cnawan_; Ice. _kna_, 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. _lac_, 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'la, _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.]

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