Kit-cat. Canvas for portraits—28 or 29 inches by 36—of the size adopted by Sir Godfrey Kneller, in painting the portraits of the Kit-cat Club. The club had taken its name from Christopher Cat, a pastrycook, who supplied them at their meetings with mutton-pies. Addison, Steele, Walpole, Marlborough, and other staunch Whigs were the principal members. It dissolved about 1720.
Klaft, Egyp. A royal head-dress of striped cloth forming a kind of hood, and terminating in two flaps which fall over the breast. A great many Egyptian statues are represented with the klaft. It is suggested by M. Soldi that the invention of this ornament was for the purpose of strengthening the figure, by avoiding the thinness of the shape of the neck.
Knapsack. A case for a foot-soldier’s stores, carried at the back. Knap means a protuberance.
Knife, Chr. (See Flaying-knife.) This is also the attribute of Sts. Agatha, Albert, and Christina; and a sacrificing-knife of St. Zadkiel the Angel.
Knighthood. The principal English orders are of the Garter, established 1343, and the Bath shortly afterwards; of St. Patrick for Ireland, established in 1783; and the Order of the Thistle, at least as ancient as Robert II. of Scotland. There is a French order of the Thistle, founded in 1463; but the most ancient French order is the Gennet, in 706. In France are also the orders of St. Michel and of St. Louis; but these French orders are now all superseded by the Legion of Honour. [See An Accurate Historical Account of all the Orders of Knighthood.]
Knight-service, O. E. A tenure of lands formerly held by knights, on condition of performing military service
Knol, Hind. A road or high road which frequently passes over very low bridges.
Knop, O. E. A button.
Knop, Knob, Arch. A boss.
