King

n. [A-S. cyng, cynig, cyning, O. Sax. cuning, D. koning, O. H. Ger. kuning, M. H. Ger. künec, N. H. Ger. könig, Icel. konungr, Sw. konung, Dan. konge, from A-S. cyn, Icel. kyn, kónr, O. Sax. cunni, O. H. Ger. kunni, Goth. kuni, race, the primary sense being head or chief of the race.]

1Sense 1. A chief ruler; a sovereign; one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe, or country; — usually by hereditary succession; a monarch; a prince; a ruler. “Ay, every inch a king.” Shak.

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle. Burke.

The right divine of kings to govern wrong. Pope.

But yonder comes the powerful King of Day, Rejoicing in the east. Thomson.

2Sense 2. A card having the picture of a king; as, the king of diamonds.

3Sense 3. The chief piece in the game of chess.

4Sense 4. (pl.) The title of two books in the Old Testament.

Apostolical king. See APOSTOLICAL.—King at arms, an officer in England whose office is of great antiquity, and was formerly of great authority, whose business is to direct the heralds, preside at their chapters, and have the jurisdiction of armory. There are three kings at arms, viz., Garter, Clarencieux, and Norroy. The latter (which means literally north roy or north king) officiates north of the Trent.—King’s counsel (Eng. Law), barristers who have been called within the bar, and selected to be the king’s counsel, learned in the law. They answer in some measure to the advocates of the revenue (advocati fisci) among the Romans. They can not be employed against the crown without special license. Wharton.—King’s English, correct or current language of good speakers; pure English. [Colloq.]

n. (Mus.) A Chinese musical instrument. It consists of sixteen stones, arranged so as to sound sixteen notes in order, hung in a frame of wood, and struck with a hammer. Moore.