[king] n [ME, fr. OE cyning; akin to OHG kuning king, OE cynn kin] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a male monarch of a major territorial unit; esp: one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life b: a paramount chief
2. cap: god, christ
3: one that holds a preeminent position; esp: a chief among competitors
4: the principal piece of each color in chess having the power to move ordinarily one square in any direction and to capture opposing pieces but being obliged never to enter or remain in check
5: a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a king
6: a checker that has been crowned