kerchief

a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck ;

kerensky

Russian revolutionary who was head of state after Nicholas II abdicated but was overthrown by the Bolsheviks (1881-1970) ;

kerfuffle

a disorderly outburst or tumult; "they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused" ;

kerion

ringworm infection of the hair follicles of the scalp and beard that usually results in a swelling that is covered with pustules and oozes fluid ;

kern

the part of a metal typeface that projects beyond its body ; United States composer of musical comedies (1885-1945) ;

kernel

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story" ; a single whole grain of a cereal; "a kernel of corn" ; the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone; "black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell" ;

kernicterus

an abnormal accumulation of bile pigment in the brain and other nerve tissue; causes yellow staining and tissue damage ;

kernig's sign

symptom of meningitis; patient cannot extend the leg at the knee when the thigh is flexed because of stiffness in the hamstrings ;

kernite

a light soft mineral consisting of hydrated sodium borate in crystalline form; an important source of boron ;

kerosene

a flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters ;

kerosene heater

heater that burns oil (as kerosine) for heating or cooking ;

kerosene lamp

a lamp that burns oil (as kerosine) for light ;

kerosine

a flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters ;

kerosine heater

heater that burns oil (as kerosine) for heating or cooking ;

kerosine lamp

a lamp that burns oil (as kerosine) for light ;

kerouac

United States writer who was a leading figure of the beat generation (1922-1969) ;

kerr cell

optical device consisting of a transparent cell with two electrodes between two polarizing media; passes light only if the two planes of polarization are parallel; used as a high-speed shutter or to modulate a laser beam ;

kerry blue terrier

an Irish breed of medium-sized terriers with a silky blue-grey coat ;

kerugma

preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church ;

kerygma

preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church ;

kesey

United States writer whose best-known novel was based on his experiences as an attendant in a mental hospital (1935-2001) ;

kestrel

small Old World falcon that hovers in the air against a wind ; small North American falcon ;

ketalar

a general anesthetic and tranquilizer (not a barbiturate) that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly; used mainly by veterinarians or for minor surgery with geriatric or pediatric patients; taken in large doses it causes hallucinations similar to those associated with the use of PCP ;

ketamine

a general anesthetic and tranquilizer (not a barbiturate) that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly; used mainly by veterinarians or for minor surgery with geriatric or pediatric patients; taken in large doses it causes hallucinations similar to those associated with the use of PCP ;

ketamine hydrochloride

a general anesthetic and tranquilizer (not a barbiturate) that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly; used mainly by veterinarians or for minor surgery with geriatric or pediatric patients; taken in large doses it causes hallucinations similar to those associated with the use of PCP ;

ketch

a sailing vessel with two masts; the mizzen is forward of the rudderpost ;

ketchup

thick spicy sauce made from tomatoes ;

ketchup bottle

a bottle that holds catsup ;

keteleeria

Asiatic conifers resembling firs ;

ketembilla

maroon-purple gooseberry-like fruit of India having tart-sweet purple pulp used especially for preserves ; a small shrubby spiny tree cultivated for its maroon-purple fruit with sweet purple pulp tasting like gooseberries; Sri Lanka and India ;

ketembilla tree

a small shrubby spiny tree cultivated for its maroon-purple fruit with sweet purple pulp tasting like gooseberries; Sri Lanka and India ;

ketoacidosis

acidosis with an accumulation of ketone bodies; occurs primarily in diabetes mellitus ;

ketoacidosis-prone diabetes

severe diabetes mellitus with an early onset; characterized by polyuria and excessive thirst and increased appetite and weight loss and episodic ketoacidosis; diet and insulin injections are required to control the disease ;

ketoacidosis-resistant diabetes

mild form of diabetes mellitus that develops gradually in adults; can be precipitated by obesity or severe stress or menopause or other factors; can usually be controlled by diet and hypoglycemic agents without injections of insulin ;

ketoacidosis-resistant diabetes mellitus

mild form of diabetes mellitus that develops gradually in adults; can be precipitated by obesity or severe stress or menopause or other factors; can usually be controlled by diet and hypoglycemic agents without injections of insulin ;

ketoaciduria

excessive amounts of ketone bodies in the urine as in diabetes mellitus or starvation ;

ketohexose

a monosaccharide having six carbon atoms and a ketone group ;

ketone

any of a class of organic compounds having a carbonyl group linked to a carbon atom in each of two hydrocarbon radicals ;

ketone body

a ketone that is an intermediate product of the breakdown of fats in the body; any of three compounds (acetoacetic acid, acetone, and/or beta-hydroxybutyric acid) found in excess in blood and urine of persons with metabolic disorders ;

ketone group

a group having the characteristic properties of ketones ;