kind1
/kʌɪnd
/- It is one of those CD's that you want to keep playing and playing, the kind where you family tell you that they have heard it enough.
- He didn't seem the kind of guy who would just get talking to a stranger.
- We try to compensate for our natural sinfulness by performing good works of various kinds.
Synonyms
- "In a straightforward case, such as the threat of violence or something of that kind, people should go to the police, " he said.
- Companionship of the same kind was therefore required for him, for he was not intended to be an isolated being.
- In the final analysis, the ideology of radical diversity surreptitiously promotes a political program of the same kind.
Synonyms
- Many practices that were part of pre-Vatican II Roman Catholicism, such as communion in one kind for the laity and eastward-facing celebrations, have not died out, as Anglicans sometimes think.
- He recognized three sacraments: baptism, the Eucharist in both kinds, and penitence.
Usage
The plural of kind often causes difficulty. With this or that, speaking of one kind, use a singular construction: this kind of question is not relevant; that kind of fabric doesn’t need ironing. With these or those, speaking of more than one kind, use a plural construction: we refuse to buy these kinds of books; I’ve given up those kinds of ideas. The ungrammatical use these kind rather than these kinds (as in these kind of questions are not relevant) has been recorded since the 14th century, and although often encountered today, it should be avoided.
Phrases
in kind
one's (own) kind
someone's kind
kind of
a kind of
nothing of the kind
of its kind
of a kind
one of a kind
something of the kind
two (or three, four, etc.) of a kind
Origin
Old English cynd(e), gecynd(e), of Germanic origin; related to kin. The original sense was 'nature, the natural order', also 'innate character, form, or condition' (compare with kind2); hence 'a class or race distinguished by innate characteristics'.
In Old English the original senses of kind were ‘nature, the natural order’, and ‘innate character’, which led to our use of the word for ‘a class or type of similar people or things’. Kind is also related to kin (Old English) and through it to king. In medieval times it was used as an adjective to mean ‘well born’, and the association of good breeding with good manners in turn gave us the familiar meaning of ‘considerate and generous’.
Rhymes
kind2
/kʌɪnd/- In its most direct form, hospitality refers to a kindness to visitors: a friendly welcome and a kind or generous treatment offered to guests or strangers.
- The Chaplain was kind and polite and tried his level best to be decent.
- Ken, a reader and walker, has written a kind letter to me and has requested more routes south of York.
- Perhaps François will be kind enough to refill our glasses a final time.
- I wonder if you'd be kind enough to address my concerns?
- Please be so kind as to let me know how I can get this wonderful magazine.
- Use vegetable-based soaps in the kitchen and bath; they're much kinder to your skin than harsh detergents or soaps.
- The tissues are kind to your nose.
- Jonathan chose two different shades of dye, which had the added bonus of being tinted colour, as opposed to bleach, and so kinder to my hair.
- She was always a kind and loving mother to the twins.
- Everyone besides Christy saw a kind, loving mother concerned for her daughter.
Origin
Old English gecynde 'natural, native'; in Middle English the earliest sense is 'well born or well bred', whence 'well disposed by nature, courteous, gentle, benevolent'.