n.
- the male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth.
▸a person or thing regarded as the finest or most important in its sphere or group.
▸used in names of animals and plants that are particularly large, e.g. king cobra.
- the most important chess piece, which the opponent has to checkmate in order to win.
▸a piece in draughts with extra capacity for moving, made by crowning an ordinary piece that has reached the opponent's baseline.
- a playing card bearing a representation of a king, ranking next below an ace.
v.
- archaic make (someone) king.
-
(king it)
act in an unpleasantly superior manner.
Derivative
- kinghood n.
- kingless adj.
- kingliness n.
- kingly adj.
- kingship n.
Etymology
OE cyning, cyng, of Gmc origin; rel. to kin.