| kak- | Kako- See: caco-. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| kaka | <zoology> A New Zealand parrot of the genus Nestor, especially the brown parrot (Nestor meridionalis). The mountain kaka, or kea (N. Notabilis), is remarkable for having recently acquired carnivorous habits. It attacks and kills lambs and pigs, sometimes doing great damage. Night kaka. <zoology> The kakapo. Origin: Maori kaka a parrot; so named from its note. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kakapo | <zoology> A singular nocturnal parrot (Strigops habroptilus), native of New Zealand. It lives in holes during the day, but is active at night. It resembles an owl in its colours and general appearance. It has large wings, but can fly only a short distance. Synonym: owl parrot, night parrot, and night kaka. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kakaralli | A kind of wood common in Demerara, durable in salt water, because not subject to the depredations of the sea worm and barnacle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kakke | Synonym: beriberi. Origin: Jap. (05 Mar 2000) |
| kal- | Kali- Potassium; sometimes improperly written as kalio-. Origin: L. Kalium, potassium (05 Mar 2000) |
| kala azar | A chronic and sometimes fatal bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Leishmania donovani (a haemoflagellate). It is transmitted by sandflies in parts of Asia, Africa and South America. It particularly causes fever, enlargement of the liver and spleen, involves the bone marrow and lymph nodes, and causes fatigue and secondary infections. Synonym: visceral leishmaniasis. Origin: Hindi for black fever. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kalaemia | The presence of potassium in the blood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| kalan | <zoology> The sea otter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kalanin | <protein> Protein that provides adhesion between epidemal keratinocytes and dermis. Localises to anchoring filaments of basement membrane, 400-440 kD with fragments of 165, 155, 130 & 105 when disulphide bonds are reduced. Forms an asymmetric 170nm long rod with two globules at one end, one at the other. May be the same as epiligrin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| kalasie | <zoology> A long-tailed monkey of Borneo (Semnopithecus rubicundus). It has a tuft of long hair on the head. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kale | 1. <botany> A variety of cabbage in which the leaves do not form a head, being nearly the original or wild form of the species. Alternative forms: kail, and cale. 2. See Kail. <botany> Sea kale, a European cruciferous herb (Crambe maritima), often used as a pot herb; sea cabbage. Origin: Scot. Kale, kail, cale, colewort, Gael. Cael; akin to Ir. Cal, W. Cawl, Armor. Kaol. See Cole. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kaleege | <zoology> One of several species of large, crested, Asiatic pheasants, belonging to the genus Euplocamus, and allied to the firebacks. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kaleidophone | <physics> An instrument invented by Professor Wheatstone, consisting of a reflecting knob at the end of a vibrating rod or thin plate, for making visible, in the motion of a point of light reflected from the knob, the paths or curves corresponding with the musical notes produced by the vibrations. Origin: Gr. Beautiful + appearance, form + sound. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| kaleidoscope | <instrument> An instrument invented by Sir David Brewster, which contains loose fragments of coloured glass, etc, and reflecting surfaces so arranged that changes of position exhibit its contents in an endless variety of beautiful colours and symmetrical forms. It has been much employed in arts of design. "Shifting like the fragments of coloured glass in the kaleidoscope." (G. W. Cable) Origin: Gr. Beautiful + form + -scope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |