Kaunan
The k-rune is called Kaun in both the Norwegian and Icelandic rune poems, meaning "ulcer". The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is *Kauną. It is also known as Kenaz, based on its Anglo-Saxon name.
The Elder Futhark shape is likely directly based on Old Italic c and on Latin C. The Younger Futhark and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc shapes have parallels in Old Italic shapes of k and Latin K. The corresponding Gothic letter is ? k, called kusma.
The shape of the Younger Futhark kaun rune is identical to that of the "bookhand" s rune in the Anglo-Saxon futhorc.
The rune also occurs in some continental runic inscriptions. It has been suggested that in these instances, it represents the ch /χ/ sound resulting from the Old High German sound shift .
