Silent k
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A silent k is quite common in English.
Here is a list of words with silent k's:
- knack (verb),
- knap (verb),
- knave (noun),
- knee (noun),
- knock (verb),
- kneel (verb),
- knell (verb),
- knick-knack (noun),
- knickers (noun),
- knife (noun),
- knish (noun),
- knit (verb),
- knob (noun),
- knop (noun),
- knoll (noun),
- knot (verb),
- knout (noun),
- knowledge (noun),
- know (verb),
- knight (noun),
- knead (verb),
- knuckle (noun),
- knur (verb),
- knurl (noun)
[edit] Etymology
In Old English the /k/ was not silent and, as can be seen in other Germanic languages, words with the same root still pronounce the k as a voiceless velar plosive (compare German Knecht to knight, Knoten to knot, et al.).
