K

Question 0

karma

Answer 0

(n)(in Buddhism and Hinduism) the sum of a person’s actions in one of his successive existences, thought to decide his fate for the next.

Question 1

kapok

Answer 1

(n) a substance resembling cotton wool, used for padding things.

Question 2

keel

Answer 2

(n) the timber or steel structure along the base of a ship, on which the ship’s framework is built up. (v) to become tilted, to overturn, to collapse, (keeled over). On an even keel: steady.

Question 3

keen

Answer 3

(adj)1. Sharp, having a sharp edge or point. 2. (of sound or light) acute, penetrating. 3. Piercingly cold, (keen wind). 4. (of prices) low because of competition. 5. Intense, (keen interest). 6. Showing or feeling intense interest or desire, (a keen swimmer). 7. Perceiving things very distinctly, (keen sight). Keenly (adv), keenness (n). Keen on: (informal) much attracted to.

Question 4

for keeps

Answer 4

(informal) permanently.

Question 5

keep the peace

Answer 5

to obey the laws and refrain from causing trouble.

Question 6

keep up with the Joneses

Answer 6

to strive to remain on terms of obvious social equality with one’s neighbours.

Question 7

keeper

Answer 7

(n)1. A person who keeps or looks after something, the custodian of a museum or forest etc. 2. A fruit that keeps well.

Question 8

keepsake

Answer 8

(n) a thing that is kept in memory of the giver.

Question 9

keg

Answer 9

(n) a small barrel.

Question 10

kelp

Answer 10

(n) a large brown seaweed.

Question 11

ken

Answer 11

(n) the range of sight or knowledge, (beyond my ken). (v)(Scottish) to know.

Question 12

keratin

Answer 12

(n) a strong protein substance forming the basis of horns, claws, nails, feathers, hair, etc.

Question 13

kerfuffle

Answer 13

(n)(informal) fuss, commotion.

Question 14

kernel

Answer 14

(n)1. The softer (usually edible) part inside the shell of a nut or stone-fruit. 2. The part of a grain or seed within the husk. 3. The central or important part of a subject or plan or problem etc.

Question 15

keynote

Answer 15

(n)1. The note on which a key in music is based. 2. The prevailing tone or idea of a speech etc.

Question 16

kibbutz

Answer 16

(n)(pl kibbutzim) a communal settlement in Israel. Kibbutznik (n): a member of a kibbutz.

Question 17

kick-start

Answer 17

(v) to start (a motor cycle etc.) by pushing down a lever with one’s foot. Kick-starter (n).

Question 18

kid-glove treatment

Answer 18

tactfulness.

Question 19

killjoy

Answer 19

(n) a person who spoils the enjoyment of others.

Question 20

kiln

Answer 20

(n) an oven for hardening or drying things such as pottery or bricks or hops, or for burning lime.

Question 21

kilt

Answer 21

(n) a knee-length pleated skirt-like garment of tartan wool, worn as part of a Highland man’s dress or by women and children. Kilted (adj): wearing a kilt.

Question 22

kin

Answer 22

(n) a person’s relatives. (also ‘kindred’, ‘kinsfolk’ and ‘kith’)

Question 23

kindle (1)

Answer 23

(v)1. To set on fire, to cause (a fire) to begin burning. 2. To arouse or stimulate, (kindled our hopes). 3. To become kindled. Kindling (n): small pieces of wood for lighting fires.

Question 24

not take kindly to

Answer 24

to be displeased by.

Question 25

kindred

Answer 25

(n) a person's relative(s). (adj):1. Related. 2. Of similar kind, (chemistry and kindred subjects). A kindred spirit: a person whose tastes are similar to one's own.

Question 26

kingpin

Answer 26

(n)1. A vertical bolt used as a pivot. 2. An indispensable person or thing.

Question 27

kink

Answer 27

(n)1. A short twist in a wire or rope or hair etc. 2. A mental or moral peculiarity. (v) to form or cause to form kinks. Kinky (adj)(kinkier), kinkiest)1. Full of kinks. 2. (informal) bizarre, eccentric.

Question 28

kipper

Answer 28

(n) a kippered herring. (v) to cure (fish) by splitting, cleaning, and drying it in the open air or in smoke.

Question 29

kismet

Answer 29

(n) destiny, fate.

Question 30

kit (v)

Answer 30

(v) (kitted, kitting) to equip with kit, (kit a person out or up).

Question 31

kitsch

Answer 31

(n) pretentiousness and lack of good taste in art, art of this type.

Question 32

kleptomania

Answer 32

(n) an uncontrollable tendency to steal thing, with no desire to use or profit by them. Kleptomaniac (n): a person with this tendency.

Question 33

knack

Answer 33

(n)1. The ability to do something skilfully. 2. The habit of doing, (it has a knack of going wrong).

Question 34

knackered

Answer 34

(adj)(slang) exhausted, worn out. (knacker (n): a person who buys and slaughters useless horses, selling the meat and hides.)

Question 35

knead

Answer 35

(v)1. To work (moist flour or clay) into dough by pressing and stretching it with the hands. 2. To make (bread etc.) in this way. 3. To massage with kneading movements.

Question 36

kneeler

Answer 36

(n) a hassock (a thick firm cushion for kneeling on in church) for kneeling on.

Question 37

knell

Answer 37

(n) the sound of a bell tolled solemnly after a death or at a funeral.

Question 38

knickerbockers

Answer 38

(pl n) loose-fitting breeches gathered in at the knee.

Question 39

knick-knack

Answer 39

(n) a small ornamental article.

Question 40

on a knife-edge

Answer 40

in a situation involving extreme tension or anxiety about the outcome.

Question 41

knit one's brow

Answer 41

to frown.

Question 42

knocker

Answer 42

(n)1. A person who knocks. 2. A hinged metal flap for rapping against a door to summon a person.

Question 43

knock-out (n)

Answer 43

(adj) knocking a person out, (of a competition) in which the loser of each round is eliminated. (n)1. A blow that knocks a boxer out. 2. A knock-out competition. 3. (slang) an outstanding or irresistible person or thing.

Question 44

knoll

Answer 44

(n) a hillock, a mound.

Question 45

knowing

Answer 45

(adj) showing knowledge or awareness, showing that one has inside information. Knowingly (adv).

Question 46

knowledgeable

Answer 46

(adj) well-informed.

Question 47

knuckle down

Answer 47

to begin to work earnestly.

Question 48

knuckle under

Answer 48

to yield, to submit.

Question 49

kowtow

Answer 49

(v) to behave with exaggerated respect towards a person. (the kowtow was a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with one's forehead as a sign of worship or submission.)

Question 50

kudos

Answer 50

(n)(informal) honour and glory.