king

  • noun 1 the male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by birth. 2 the best or most important person or thing in a sphere or group. 3 a playing card bearing a representation of a king, ranking next below an ace. 4 the most important chess piece, which the opponent has to checkmate in order to win. 5 a piece in draughts with extra capacity for moving, made by crowning an ordinary piece that has reached the opponent’s baseline.

  — DERIVATIVES kingly adjective kingship noun.

  — ORIGIN Old English, related to KIN.

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