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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

K \K\, (k[=a]),
the eleventh letter of the English alphabet, is nonvocal
consonant. The form and sound of the letter K are from the
Latin, which used the letter but little except in the early
period of the language. It came into the Latin from the
Greek, which received it from a Ph[oe]nician source, the
ultimate origin probably being Egyptian. Etymologically K is
most nearly related to c, g, h (which see).

Note: In many words of one syllable k is used after c, as in
crack, check, deck, being necessary to exhibit a
correct pronunciation in the derivatives, cracked,
checked, decked, cracking; since without it, c, before
the vowels e and i, would be sounded like s. Formerly,
k was added to c in certain words of Latin origin, as
in musick, publick, republick; but now it is omitted.
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Note: See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 240, 178, 179,
185.
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Mute \Mute\, n.
1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability,
unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically:
(a) One who, from deafness, either congenital or from
early life, is unable to use articulate language; a
deaf-mute.
(b) A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
(c) A person whose part in a play does not require him to
speak.
(d) Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is
selected for his place because he can not speak.
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2. (Phon.) A letter which represents no sound; a silent
letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech
formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the
passage of the breath; as, {p}, {b}, {d}, {k}, {t}.
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3. (Mus.) A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other
material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect
position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument,
in order to deaden or soften the tone.
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