n. 1 a a race or species (human kind). b a natural group of animals, plants, etc. (the wolf kind). 2 class, type, sort, variety (what kind of job are you looking for?). °In sense 2, these (or those) kind is often encountered when followed by a plural, as in I don't like these kind of things, but this kind and these kinds are usually preferred. 3 each of the elements of the Eucharist (communion under (or in) both kinds). 4 the manner or fashion natural to a person etc. (act after their kind; true to kind). kind of colloq. to some extent (felt kind of sorry; I kind of expected it). a kind of used to imply looseness, vagueness, exaggeration, etc., in the term used (a kind of Jane Austen of our times; I suppose he's a kind of doctor). in kind 1 in the same form, likewise (was insulted and replied in kind). 2 (of payment) in goods or labour as opposed to money (received their wages in kind). 3 character, quality (differ in degree but not in kind). law of kind archaic nature in general; the natural order. nothing of the kind 1 not at all like the thing in question. 2 (expressing denial) not at all. of its kind within the limitations of its own class (good of its kind). of a kind 1 derog. scarcely deserving the name (a choir of a kind). 2 similar in some important respect (they're two of a kind). one's own kind those with whom one has much in common. something of the kind something like the thing in question.
[ OE cynd(e), gecynd(e) f. Gmc ]