KING

The sovereign, ruler, or chief executive magistrate of a state or nation whose constitution is of the kind called "monarchical" is thus named if a man; if it be a woman, she is called "queen." The word expre es the idea of one who rules singly over a whole peopie or has the highest executive power; but the office may be either hereditary or elective, and the sovereignty_ of the king may or may not be absolute, according to the constitution of the country. -King-craft. The art of governing.-Kinggeld. A. royal aid; an es.cuage, (q. v.)- King's silver. In old English practice. A. fine due the king pro lioentia concord and i, (for leave to agree,) in the ]!)l'Oce of levying a fine. 5 Coke, 39, 43; 2 Inst. 511; 2 Bl. Comm. 350. -King's widow. In feudal law. A widow of the king's tenant in chief, who was obliged to take oath in, chancery that she would not marry without the king's leave. KING'S [s. 693]