K , (kā), 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 Phœnician source, the ultimate origin probably being Egyptian.
Etymologically K is most nearly related to c, g, h (which see).
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.
See Guide to Pronunciation , §§ 240, 178, 179,
185.
Hear it pronounced