Heb. O. T. Also k’ri, q’ri. [Heb., imp. of qārā to read.] In the Hebrew text of the O. T., the word, given in the margin, to be substituted in reading for that standing in the text (KETHIB), the latter having been retained by the Masoretes as evidenced by MSS. or tradition, though considered erroneous or unintelligible.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 46. Ask a Talmudest what ails the modesty of his marginall Keri, that Moses and all the Prophets cannot persuade him to pronounce the textuall Chetiv.
1659. Bp. Walton, Consid. Considered, 112. Certain marginal notes in the Hebrew Bibles, where the Keri is the word that must be read, placed in the margin, with a [Hebrew]: the Ketib, or word written in the text, marked with a little circle or cipher.
1881. W. Robertson Smith, Old Test. in Jewish Ch., iii. 2. These notes are called Keris, the word Keri being the imperative ‘read!’ The expression actually written in the text, but not uttered is called Kethib (written).
