| kafir | <ethnology> One of a race which, with the Hottentots and Bushmen, inhabit South Africa. They inhabit the country north of Cape Colony, the name being now specifically applied to the tribes living between Cape Colony and Natal; but the Zulus of Natal are true Kaffirs. One of a race inhabiting Kafiristan in Central Asia. <botany> [Spelt also Caffre] Kaffir corn, a Cape Colony name for Indian millet. Origin: Ar. Kfir infidel, pagan, fr. Kafara to be skeptical in religious matters; a name given to certain infidel races by the Mohammedans. Cf. Giaour. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| kagu | Native of new Caledonia. It is gray above, paler beneath, and the feathers of the wings and tail are handsomely barred with brown, black, and gray. It is allied to the sun bittern. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kaguan | <zoology> The colugo. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kahau | <zoology> A long-nosed monkey (Semnopithecus nasalis), native of Borneo. The general colour of the body is bright chestnut, with the under parts, shoulders, and sides of the head, golden yellow, and the top of the head and upper part of the back brown. Synonym: proboscis monkey. Alternative forms: kaha. Origin: Native name, from its cry. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kail | 1. <botany> A kind of headless cabbage. Same as Kale. 2. Any cabbage, greens, or vegetables. 3. A broth made with kail or other vegetables; hence, any broth; also, a dinner. Kail yard, a kitchen garden. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kainate | An agonist for the K type excitatory amino acid receptor. It can act as an excitotoxin producing symptoms similar to those of Huntingdon's chorea and is also used as an anthelminthic drug. Originally isolated from the alga Digenea simplex. The receptor is an amino acid gated ion channel, one of several types gated by the transmitter. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kainate receptor | A type of glutamate receptor that participates in excitatory neurotransmission and also binds kainate and acts as a cation channel; injection of kainate causes death of neurons but preserves glial cells and axons. (05 Mar 2000) |
| kainic acid | An agonist for the K type excitatory amino acid receptor. It can act as an excitotoxin producing symptoms similar to those of Huntingdon's chorea and is also used as an anthelminthic drug. Originally isolated from the alga Digenea simplex. The receptor is an amino acid gated ion channel, one of several types gated by the transmitter. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kainite | <chemical> A compound salt consisting chiefly of potassium chloride and magnesium sulphate, occurring at the Stassfurt salt mines in Prussian Saxony. Origin: Gr. Recent. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kairine | <chemistry> A pale buff or white crystalline alkaloid derived from quinoline, and used as an antipyretic in medicine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kairoline | <chemistry> An organic base obtained from quinoline. It is used as a febrifuge, and resembles kairine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kairomone | <endocrinology> A subclass of pheromone, defined as an interspecific secretion which benefits the receiver. See: allomone. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kairomones | A flower scent used to attract or repel other species. Compare: pheromones, allomones. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Kaiserling | Karl, German pathologist, 1869-1942. See: Kaiserling's fixative. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Kaiserling's fixative | A method of preserving histologic and pathologic specimens without altering the colour, by immersing them in an aqueous solution of potassium nitrate, potassium acetate, and formalin. (05 Mar 2000) |