_raking-knees_.

KNETTAR. A string used to tie the mouth of a sack.

KNIFE. An old name for a dagger: thus Lady Macbeth--

"That my keen knife see not the wound it makes."

KNIGHT-HEADS. Two large oak timbers, one on each side of the stem, rising
up sufficiently above it to support the bowsprit, which is fixed between
them. The term is synonymous with _bollard timbers_.--_Knight-heads_
also formerly denoted in many merchant ships, two strong frames of
timber fixed on the main-deck, a little behind the fore-mast, which
supported the ends of the windlass. They were frequently called the
_bitts_, and then their upper parts only were denominated the
knight-heads, from having been embellished with a carved head. (_See_
WINDLASS.) Also, a name formerly given to the lower jear-blocks, which
were then no other than bitts, containing several sheaves, and nearly
resembling our present topsail-sheet bitts.

KNIGHTHOOD. An institution by princes, either for the defence of
religion, or as marks of honour on officers who have distinguished
themselves by their valour and address. This dignity being personal,
dies with the individual so honoured. The initials of our own orders
are:--K.G., Knight of the Garter; K.T., Knight of the Thistle; K.S.P.,
Knight of St. Patrick; G.C.B., Grand Cross of the Bath; K.C.B., Knight
Commander of the Bath; G.C.H., Knight Grand Cross of the Hanoverian
Guelphic Order; K.H., Knight of the Hanoverian Guelphic Order; G.C.M.G.,
Grand Cross of St. Michael and George; E.S.I., Most Exalted Star of
India. The principal foreign orders worn by our navy are those of
Hanover, St. Ferdinand and Merit, the Tower and Sword, Legion of Honour,
Maria Theresa, St. Bento d'Avis, Cross of Charles III., San Fernando,
St. Louis, St. Vladimir, St. Anne of Russia, Red Eagle of Prussia,
Redeemer of Greece, Medjidie of Turkey, Leopold of Austria, Iron Crown
of Austria, William of the Netherlands.

KNIGHTS. Two short thick pieces of wood, formerly carved like a man's
head, having four sheaves in each, one of them abaft the fore-mast,
called _fore-knight_, and the other abaft the main-mast, called
_main-knight_.

KNITTLE. _See_ NETTLES.

KNOB, OR KNOBBE. An officer; perhaps from the Scotch term _knabbie_, the
lower class of gentry.

KNOCKER. A peculiar and fetid species of West Indian cockroach, so
called on account of the knocking noise they make in the night.

KNOCK OFF WORK AND CARRY DEALS. A term used to deride th