Part 239

The word king is synonymous with monarch, tyrant, despot, and an emperor is only a higher grade of king.

KING at Arms. See HERALD.

KIOSQUE, Fr. a sort of garden pavillion which is open on all sides. It is used in the Levant, particularly in Turkey, and at Constantinople.

KISSELBACHES, Ind. soldiers are so called in India.

KIST, Ind. an instalment; the amount of a stated payment.

KISTYBUNDY, the Indian term for a monthly payment or periodical instalment.

KITSBUNDY, a contract or agreement for the discharge of any debt or obligation by stated payments.

KIT, in laboratory works, a composition made, of rosin 9lb. pitch 6lb. bees wax 6lb. and tallow 1lb. used for the last covering of carcasses. In order to apply it properly, it must first be broken into small pieces, and put into an iron pot over the fire, where it must be kept stirring about until it be thoroughly dissolved. When rendered very hot and completely liquid, it may be used.

KIT is likewise used among dragoons, to signify their lot of necessaries, which is packed up in a very small compass. The term is also used by the infantry, and means the contents of a soldier’s knapsack.

KLINKETS, in fortification, are small gates made through pallisades for the purpose of sallying.

KNAPSACK, a rough leather or canvas bag, which is strapped to an infantry soldier’s back when he marches, and which contains his necessaries. Square knapsacks are supposed to be most convenient. They should be made with a division to hold the shoes, blacking-balls, and brushes, separate from the linen. White goat skins are sometimes used, but we do not conceive them to be equal to the painted canvas ones. Soldiers are put under stoppages for the payment of their knapsacks, which after five years, become their property. See list of necessaries, according to the last regulations, under the article NECESSARIES.

KNAVE, for its military acceptation, see INFANTRY.

KNIGHT, a person who, in ancient times, on account of some eminent service, civil or military, was singled out from the common class of gentlemen, &c. and was personally invested with a title. This word, which was originally derived from the German and Dutch knecht or kneht, signifies a servant, in which sense it is applied when we speak of the knight of a shire; it likewise means a military man, or rather a horseman, from the Latin eques, a soldier or horseman; knights of this description having been either the king’s domestic servants or of his life guards.

In common law they are called milites, usually holding lands under the feudal tenure by knight’s service, to serve the king in his wars.

KNOT, the wing or epaulette, which is commonly made of worsted, of a non-commissioned officer or corporal. When serjeants and corporals are sentenced to be reduced to the ranks, the knot is generally cut off by the drum-major in the presence of the battalion, as a mark of ignominy.

KNOTS, the division of the log line. Each knot is equal to an English mile.

KNOUT, a Russian punishment.

KOHISTAN, Ind. properly means a province. It likewise signifies a rocky or mountainous country.

KOLLEE Jogue, Ind. is the fourth of the four æras or periods of Indian chronology. It is the present æra, in which all mankind are corrupted, or rather lessened; it is supposed to be ordained to subsist four hundred thousand years, of which near five thousand are already expired, and the life of man, in that period is limited to one hundred years. Colonel Dow says this age is to last thirty-six thousand years: the age which preceded it, is called the davapaar jogue.

KOOLOO, Ind. the cocoa tree.

KOONAR, an Indian month, which partly coincides with our month of September.

KOONCHY, Ind. a measure of about eight handfuls.

KOONWUR, Ind. prince, highness.

KOREISH, Ind. an Arabian tribe.

KORTCHI-BACHI, the chief or commanding officer of the Kortchis. In former times he was the first military character in Persia, at present he is only the second in command. He never leaves the court except upon extraordinary occasions, when his presence is required at the army. This, however, rarely happens, as the king is obliged to furnish him with an household service of plate, and to detach a part of his own guards for the protection of his person. The Kortchi Bachi is generally entrusted with one of the chief governments belonging to Persia.

KORTCHIS, a body of Persian cavalry, which is stationed along the frontiers of the country. Every individual belonging to this corps, receives fifty crowns for his annual pay. The children of the Kortchis succeed their fathers, with the consent and approbation of the general. The Kortchis are descended from a race of foreigners, who used to live under tents, and were always distinguished for their courage.

KOSSACKS, (Kosaques, Fr.) See COSSACKS.

KOTE, Ind. a warehouse.