kris

Everyday

1. A short dagger from Malaysia, Indonesia and nearby lands, often with a wavy blade, a traditional weapon and a work of art passed down in families. tree →
2. (a name) Kris is a short form of names like Kristopher, Kristina or Kristen. tree →

In the lessons

In history and culture lessons on Southeast Asia, the kris is a treasured object, made by skilled smiths with patterned metal and carved handles; the Indonesian kris is on UNESCO's list of the world's intangible cultural heritage. In old adventure stories pirates and warriors carry krises. As a name, Kris is just a person's name.

Examples

• The museum showed a kris with a wavy blade and a gold handle. tree →
• In Java, a family kris is passed from parents to children. tree →
• The smith folded the metal many times to make the kris. tree →
• My friend Kris is in my class. tree →
• The warrior in the old story carried a kris in his belt. tree →
• A kris is a dagger, not a toy. tree →

Note

Countable: plural «krises». Also spelled «keris» (Malay/Indonesian) and «creese» (old English). As a name it has a capital K. Not related to «Kris Kringle» (an American name for Santa Claus) except for the sound.