List of English Words of Turkic Origin - K

K

Kaftan

from Turkish kaftan (also in Persian)

Kaique

from Turkish kayık, an alternative form of caïque.

Kangal

from Turkish kangal or sivas kangal köpeği

Karabagh

A type of rug, named after the Karabagh region in the Caucasus.

Karabash

from Turkish karabaş, literally "a blackhead"

Karadagh

from Azeri Karadagh, a mountain range in Azerbaijan province, northwestern Iran. a Persian rug having a bold design and rich coloring.

Karagane

from Russian karagan, which is from Turkic karagan. A species of gray fox found in Russia.

Karakul

from Uzbek karakul, literally a village in Uzbekistan

Karakurt

from Russian, of Turkic origin, karakurt, "a venomous spider".

Kasseri

from New Greek kaseri, from Turkish kaşer, kaşar

Kavass

from Turkish kavas

Kazak

from Kazak, a town in Azerbaijan, an Oriental rug in bold colors with geometric designs or stylized plant and animal forms.

Kefir

from Russian, probably ultimately from Old Turkic köpür, "milk, froth, foam", from köpürmäk, "to froth, foam".

Kelek

from Turkish kelek, a raft or float supported on inflated animal skins.

Kendyr

from Russian kendyr, from Turkish kendir. A strong bast fiber that resembles Indian hemp and is used in Asia as cordage and as a substitute for cotton and hemp.

Ketch

probably from Middle English cacchen "to capture", or perhaps from Turkish kayık "a boat, skiff".

Khagan

from Turkic kaghan, an alternative form of khan

Khan

from Turkic khan, akin to Turkish han (title meaning "ruler")

Khanum

from Turkic khanum, akin to Turkish hanım, "a female derivation of Khan"

Khatun

from Turkic khatūn, perhaps from Old Turkic or from Sogdian kwat'yn, "a queen"

Kibitka

from Russian, of Turkic origin; akin to Kazan Tatar kibit "booth, stall, tent", Uyghur käbit.

Kielbasa

from Polish kiełbasa, from East and West Slavic *kŭlbasa, from East Turkic kül bassï, "grilled cutlet", from Turkic kül bastï : kül, "coals, ashes" + bastï, "pressed (meat)" (from basmaq, to press)

Kilij

from Turkish kılıç, a Turkish saber with a crescent-shaped blade.

Kiosk

from Turkish köşk, an open summerhouse or pavilion

Kipchak

from Russian, which is from Chagatai. 1. One of the ancient Turkic peoples of the Golden Horde related to the Uyghurs and Kyrgyz. 2. The Turkic language of the Kipchaks.

Kis Kilim

from Turkish kızkilim, a kind of carpet.

Kizilbash

from Turkish kızılbaş, literally "a red head"

Knish

from Yiddish, from Ukrainian knysh, probably of Turkic origin.

Kok-saghyz

from Russian kok-sagyz, from Turkic kök-sagız, from kök "root" + sagız "rubber, gum"

Komitadji

from Turkish komitacı, a rebel, member of a secret revolutionary society.

Konak

from Turkish konak, a large house in Turkey.

Krym-saghyz

from Russian krym-sagyz, of Turkic origin, from Krym "Crimea", + sagız "rubber, gum".

Kulah

from Turkish Kula, a town in western Turkey. A Turkish rug that is often a prayer rug and that uses the Ghiordes knot.

Kulak

from Russian kulak "a fist", of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish kol "arm".

Kulan

from Kirghiz kulan, "the wild ass of the Kirghiz steppe".

Kumiss

from Turkic kumyz or kumis (kumiss on wiktionary)

Kurbash

from Turkish kırbaç

Kurgan

from Russian, of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish kurgan "fortress, castle"

Kurus

from Turkish kuruş, a Turkish piaster equal to 1/100 lira.