Kalemberg (The curé of), a recueil of facetiæ. The escapades of a young student made a chaplain in the Austrian court. He sets at defiance and torments every one he encounters, and ends in being court fool to Otho the Gay, grandson of Rudolf of Hapsburg.—German Poem (fifteenth century).
Kalyb, “the Lady of the Woods,” who stole St. George from his nurse, brought him up as her own child, and endowed him with gifts. St. George enclosed her in a rock, where she was torn to pieces by spirits. Johnson.—Seven Champions of Christendom, i. (1617).
Kâ´ma, the Hindû god of love. He rides on a sparrow, the symbol of lust; holds in his hand a bow of sugar-cane strung with bees; and has five arrows, one for each of the five senses.
Kanchen. In Overland through Asia Thomas Wallace Knox gives a thrilling story of a wolf-hunt with his host, Kanchen. Ivan, a servant, attended them, and a live pig was fastened to the back of the sledge as a bait. Instead of a single wolf a large pack was drawn by the squealing of the pig, which was cut loose and left in the road by Kanchen’s order. The race for life was interrupted by an upset that threw the servant out. Kanchen and his guest kept hold of the sledge and left him to his fate. It was the only hope of life. The master’s hair turned gray that night, and he lived ever afterward in seclusion (1870).
Karûn, son of Yeshar and Izhar, uncle of Moses, the most beautiful and wealthy of all the Israelites.
Riches of Karûn, an Arabic and Jewish proverb. The Jews say that Karûn had a large palace, the doors of which were of solid gold.—Sale, Korân, xxviii.
⁂ This Karûn is the Korah of the Pentateuch.
Kate [Plowden], niece of Colonel Howard of New York, in love with Lieutenant Barnstable, of the British navy, but promised by the colonel in marriage to Captain Boroughcliff, a vulgar, conceited Yankee. Ultimately, it is discovered that Barnstable is the colonel’s son, and the marriage is arranged amicably between Barnstable and Kate.—E. Fitzball, The Pilot.
Kate Lancaster. Charming hostess of the Brandon house, a legacy from her name-aunt. She chooses her dearest girl friend for her companion, and the two go down from Boston to spend the summer in the seaside town.—Sara Orne Jewett, Deephaven (1877).
Kath´arina, the elder daughter of Baptista, of Padua. She was of such an ungovernable spirit and fiery temper, that she was nicknamed “The Shrew.” As it was very unlikely any gentleman would select such a spitfire for his wife, Baptista made a vow that his younger daughter, Bianca, should not be allowed to marry before her sister. Petruchio married Katharina and tamed her into a most submissive wife, insomuch that when she visited her father a bet was made by Petruchio and two other bridegrooms on their three brides. First Lucentio sent a servant to Bianca to desire her to come into the room; but Bianca sent word that she was busy. Hortensio next sent the servant “to entreat” his bride to come to him; but she replied that Hortensio had better come to her if he wanted her. Petruchio said to the servant, “Tell your mistress I command her to come to me at once;” she came at once, and Petruchio won the bet.—Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew (1594).