■ noun
1》 the male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth.
↘a person or thing regarded as the finest or most important in its sphere or group.
↘used in names of animals and plants that are particularly large, e.g. ~ cobra .
2》 the most important chess piece, which the opponent has to checkmate in order to win.
↘a piece in draughts with extra capacity for moving, made by crowning an ordinary piece that has reached the opponent's baseline.
3》 a playing card bearing a representation of a ~, ran~ next below an ace.
■ verb
1》 archaic make (someone) ~.
2》 ( ~ it ) act in an unpleasantly superior manner.
Derivatives
~hood noun
~less adjective
~liness noun
~ly adjective
~ship noun
Origin
OE cyning , cyng , of Gmc origin; related to kin .