K

K (n: ke)

The eleventh letter of the Latin-based script.

The tenth letter of the Greek-based script; Kappa.

The eleventh letter of the Cyrillic-based script, though often more curvaceous; Kah.

kern (n/v: k@rn)

A part of a metal type letter that hangs over the edge of the body of the sort, thereby resting on the body of the sort next to it; the head of f often does this. Such small bits of metal can be fragile. Specialty sorts might be prepared on a narrow body; so, T with its right hand arm hanging out (or kerned) in order to accommodate lowercase letters such as aeou under the arm.

To remove metal from the entire depth of the body of a sort, so as to allow its typeface letter to move closer to the next; e.g., removing metal from above right of A and from lower left of V to allow the two to sit closer.

To move two type letters closer together to equalize the area around them with the area around other letters.

kern pair (n: k@rn per)

In digital typefaces, two characters that set closer together than they would normally be, if set with their standard sidebearings.