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kava ceremony (n) – A traditional South Pacific and Polynesian ceremony in which kava, a drink made from the root of the kava plant, is used to honor guests and unite the ceremony participants

kayak (n) – A canoe-shaped boat in which the frame is completely covered except for an opening in the middle for the paddler

kazoo (n) – A small musical instrument consisting of a tube with a top hole covered by a membrane; humming through the tube vibrates the membrane, giving a buzzing quality to the sound

keel (n) – The main supporting timber of a sailing vessel that runs the length of the ship and is centrally located; known as the backbone of a ship

kelp (n) – A variety of large brown seaweed (of the order Laminariales

ketch (n) – A two-masted, fore-and-aft rigged sailing ship in which the mizzenmast is shorter than the mainmast and is placed forward of the helm

Kevlar (n) – A trademark/name brand of a fiber used to make very durable materials

"key bit of kit" (n) – British term for an important piece of equipment

keystone species (n) – A plant or animal that plays a more significant role in the habitat than other species; they provide essential services that are unique. Without the work of these key species, the habitat will change significantly.

kilogram (kilo) (n) – A weight of measure equivalent to approximately 2.2 pounds

kingdom (n) – The largest of the seven categorical levels of biological taxonomy; there are five kingdoms into which all the Earth’s organisms are categorized

kit (n) – Set of gear or equipment (British term)

kit up (v) – Same as "kit out"

kite (v) – In sailing, a nickname for a spinnaker

"kitting out" (v) – British term for "outfitting"

Kiwi (n) – Slang for a citizen of New Zealand

"knock" (v) – When referring to conch, to remove the mollusk from its shell

knot (n) – Rate of motion equal to 1 nautical mile or 6,076 feet per hour (about 1.15 miles per hour)

koala (n) – An Australian, tailless, tree-dwelling marsupial with thick, gray fur, sharp claws, and large, tufted ears; it feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves and buds

kookabura (n) – An Australian bird; a kingfisher

krill (n) – A variety of plankton that is one of the main food sources of baleen whales

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