The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

K \K\, (k[=a]),
   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 Ph[oe]nician source, the
   ultimate origin probably being Egyptian. Etymologically K is
   most nearly related to c, g, h (which see).

   Note: 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.
         [1913 Webster]

   Note: See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 240, 178, 179,
         185.
         [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Mute \Mute\, n.
   1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability,
      unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically:
      (a) One who, from deafness, either congenital or from
          early life, is unable to use articulate language; a
          deaf-mute.
      (b) A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
      (c) A person whose part in a play does not require him to
          speak.
      (d) Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is
          selected for his place because he can not speak.
          [1913 Webster]

   2. (Phon.) A letter which represents no sound; a silent
      letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech
      formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the
      passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Mus.) A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other
      material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect
      position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument,
      in order to deaden or soften the tone.
      [1913 Webster]

The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

K is a consonant that we get from the Greeks, but it can be traced
away back beyond them to the Cerathians, a small commercial nation
inhabiting the peninsula of Smero.  In their tongue it was called
_Klatch_, which means "destroyed."  The form of the letter was
originally precisely that of our H, but the erudite Dr. Snedeker
explains that it was altered to its present shape to commemorate the
destruction of the great temple of Jarute by an earthquake, _circa_
730 B.C.  This building was famous for the two lofty columns of its
portico, one of which was broken in half by the catastrophe, the other
remaining intact.  As the earlier form of the letter is supposed to
have been suggested by these pillars, so, it is thought by the great
antiquary, its later was adopted as a simple and natural -- not to say
touching -- means of keeping the calamity ever in the national memory.
It is not known if the name of the letter was altered as an additional
mnemonic, or if the name was always _Klatch_ and the destruction one
of nature's puns.  As each theory seems probable enough, I see no
objection to believing both -- and Dr. Snedeker arrayed himself on
that side of the question.


U.S. Gazetteer Places (2000):

K-Bar Ranch, TX -- U.S. Census Designated Place in Texas
   Population (2000):    350
   Housing Units (2000): 116
   Land area (2000):     3.410505 sq. miles (8.833167 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    3.410505 sq. miles (8.833167 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            38518
   Located within:       Texas (TX), FIPS 48
   Location:             27.996465 N, 97.922898 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    K-Bar Ranch, TX
    K-Bar Ranch
    K, TX
    K