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King, Martin Luther
CULTURAL NOTE People often make jokes about the fact that Scotsmen are believed to wear nothing under their kilts.
kil·ter /'kɪltər/ n out of kilter/off kilter not working properly or not in good condition
kim·chi /'kɪmtʃi:/ n [U] a Korean vegetable dish usually based on CABBAGE or white RADISH, with CHILLI, GARLIC, and GINGER
Kim Il-Sung /ˌkɪm ɪl 'sʊŋ/ (1912–94) a North Korean political leader. As Prime Minister, he led North Korea during the KOREAN WAR (1950–53). He later became President, and led the country until his death. He was known for his strict Communist ideas and for his ISOLATIONISM (=belief that a country should not be involved with others in any way).
Kim Jong-Il /ˌkɪm dɒŋ 'ɪl-dʒɒŋ-/ (1942–) the leader of North Korea since the death of his father Kim Il Sung in 1994.
ki·mo·no /kɪ'məʊnəʊ/ n pl. -nos 1 a long traditional Japanese garment made of thin silk or other material 2 especially AmE a loose DRESSING GOWN worn especially by women
kin /kɪn/ n [P] BrE old use or fml; AmE infml 1 also kinfold the members of one's family; one's relatives 2 next of kin a person's closest relative or relatives: His next of kin were told of his death. ➔ compare KINDRED; see also KITH AND KIN
kind¹ /kaɪnd/ n 1 [C(of)+sing./pl.v] a group whose members share certain qualities; type; sort: all kinds of people | the only one of its kind | It's a kind of reddish-brown colour (=is rather reddish-brown) | There's red wine or white; which kind would you prefer? | The film was OK, if you like that kind of thing. | This kind of watch is stronger than the others. ➔ see USAGE 1 2 [U] the qualities that make something what it is, and different from others; nature: You can't compare them – there is a fundamental difference in kind. | 'You said he was old.' 'I never said anything of the kind!' (=I said nothing at all like that) 3 a kind of an unclear or unusual sort of: He had a kind of feeling (AmE)/a kind of a feeling (BrE) that she would phone him. 4 in kind a) (of payment) using goods or natural products rather than money b) with the same treatment: I paid him back in kind for cheating me. (=I cheated him) 5 kind of infml in a certain way; rather: I'm feeling kind of tired. | She kind of hoped to be invited. ➔ see USAGE 2 6 of a kind a) of the same kind: Father and son are two of a kind; they're both very generous. b) of a not very good kind: It was advice of a kind, but it wasn't very helpful.
1 Sentences like: Those kind/sort of questions are very difficult are common in speech but are thought by teachers to be incorrect. In writing it is better to use this form: That kind/sort of question is very difficult or: Questions of that kind/sort are very difficult. 2 Kind of and sort of. In informal conversation these expressions can be used to show that you are not sure or have doubts about something: 'Do you like red wine?' 'Yes kind of/sort of.' | 'Did he help you?' 'Well kind of.' (=not as much as I hoped). In very informal speech kind of and sort of are sometimes used without any particular meaning: He sort of came up to me and pushed me. So I kind of hit him in the face. This is not considered to be good English.
kind² adj [ (to)] (that shows one is) caring about the happiness or feelings of others: a kind person/action/thought | She's very kind to animals. | It was very kind of you to visit me when I was ill. | They've been very kind about letting our children play in their garden. | (fml) Would you be kind enough to do it for me? | (fml) Would you be so kind as to do it? ➔ opposite UNKIND; see also KINDLY¹, KINDNESS
kin·der·gar·ten /'kɪndəga:tn||-dærga:rtn/ n [C,U] a school or class for young children, usually age five. In the US kindergarten is usually the beginning of formal, state-controlled education. Most GRADE SCHOOLS have kindergarten classes, where children attend for half a day. ➔ compare NURSERY SCHOOL and see Feature on page A13
kind-'hearted adj having or showing a kind nature: a kind-hearted person/action —ly adv —ness n [U]
kin·dle /'kɪndl/ v [I,T] to (cause to) start burning: to kindle a fire | (fig.) I'm afraid our publicity campaign failed to kindle much interest among the public.
kin·dling /'kɪndlɪŋ/ n [U] materials for lighting a fire, especially dry wood, leaves, grass etc
kind·ly¹ /'kaɪndli/ adv 1 in a kind way: She spoke kindly to the old man. ➔ opposite UNKINDLY 2 (especially used to show annoyance) please: Will you kindly put that book back? | Kindly put it back. 3 not take kindly to not to accept willingly: He didn't take kindly to being told how to behave.
kindly² adj fml pleasant; friendly or generous, especially to those who are younger, weaker, or less important than oneself: a kindly uncle/smile —liness n [U]
kind·ness /'kaɪndnəs/ n [ (to)] 1 [U] the quality of being kind: to show kindness to animals 2 [C] a kind action: I think it would be a kindness to tell him the bad news straight away. ➔ opposite UNKINDNESS; see also KILL with kindness (KILL¹)
kin·dred¹ /'kɪndrəd/ n old use or fml 1 [P] one's relatives ➔ compare KIN 2 [U(with)] family relationship; KINSHIP: He claims kindred with royalty.
kindred² adj [A] belonging to the same group; related: Italian and Spanish and other kindred languages | He and I are kindred spirits: we have the same tastes and the same opinions.
ki·net·ic /kɪ'netɪk, kaɪ-/ adj fml or tech of or about movement: Kinetic art involves the use of moving objects. —ally /kli/ adv
ki,netic 'energy n [U] tech the power of something moving, such as running water
ki·net·ics /kɪ'netks, kaɪ-/ n [U] the science that studies the action of force in producing or changing movement ➔ compare DYNAMICS¹
kin·folk /'kɪnfəʊk/ also kinforks n [P] AmE for KINSFOLK
king /kɪŋ/ n 1 [ (of)] (sometimes cap.) (the title of) the male ruler of a country, usually the son of a former ruler: He became king on the death of his father. | the King of Spain | King Edward IV (=the fourth) 2 [ (of)] the most important man or male animal in a group, especially a chief among competitors: a cotton king (=a powerful businessman in the cotton industry) | The lion is king of the jungle/of beasts. 3 a) the most important piece in CHESS b) [ (of)] any of the four playing cards with a picture of a king: the king of diamonds ➔ see Cultural Note at CARDS and picture at CHESSMAN; see also QUEEN, UNCROWNED KING
King, Bil·lie Jean /'bɪli dʒi:n/ (1943–) a US tennis player who is considered to be one of the best women's tennis players ever. She won the women's SINGLES competition at Wimbledon six times, and the US Open four times. She is known for being a supporter of women's rights, especially in sport.
King, Don (1931–) a US BOXING PROMOTER (=someone who arranges and advertises boxing matches) known for working with many famous BOXERS and for his unusual hairstyle
King, Lar·ry /'læri/ (1933–) a US television PRESENTER. On his TALK SHOW called Larry King Live he talks mainly to celebrities and politicians, and people can call up and ask them questions. He is known for wearing large glasses and BRACES, and for having been married many times.
King, Martin Luther
Martin Luther King
(1929–68) a black US religious leader who became the most important leader of the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT and worked hard to achieve social changes for African-American people. He was known for being a great public speaker, and many people remember his famous speech that starts with the words 'I have a dream'. He encouraged people to try to achieve changes without using violence, and in 1964 he won the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1968 he was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee. In the US there is a national holiday in January to celebrate his birthday.