key

key
key1
noun (plural keys)
1》 a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into the lock and rotated to open or close it or to operate a switch.
    ↘an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut.
    ↘a pin, bolt, or wedge inserted into a hole or between parts so as to lock the parts together.
2》 a lever depressed by the finger in playing an instrument such as the organ, piano, flute, or concertina.
3》 each of several buttons on a panel for operating a typewriter, word processor, or computer terminal.
4》 a lever operating a mechanical device for making or breaking an electric circuit.
5》 a thing that provides access to or understanding of something: a key to success.
    ↘an explanatory list of symbols used in a map or table.
    ↘a set of answers to exercises or problems.
    ↘a word or system for solving a cipher or code.
    ↘the first move in the solution of a chess problem.
6》 Music a group of notes based on a particular note and comprising a scale, regarded as forming the tonal basis of a passage of music.
    ↘the tone or pitch of someone's voice.
7》 the dry winged fruit of an ash, maple, or sycamore; a samara.
8》 roughness on a surface, provided to assist adhesion of plaster or other material.
9》 Basketball the keyhole-shaped area marked on the court near each basket.
adjective of crucial importance: a key figure.
verb (keys, keying, keyed)
1》 enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard.
2》 fasten into position with a pin, wedge, or bolt.
3》 (key to) chiefly N. Amer. link with.
    ↘(key into/in with) be connected or in harmony with.
4》 (be keyed up) be nervous, tense, or excited.
5》 roughen (a surface) to assist adhesion of plaster or other material.
Phrases
in (or out of) key in (or out of) harmony.
Derivatives
keyed adjective
keyer noun
keyless adjective
Origin
OE cg, cge, of unknown origin.
————————
key2
noun a low-lying island or reef, especially off the coast of Florida or in the Caribbean.
Origin
C17: from Sp. cayo 'reef', influenced by quay.

English new terms dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
/ , , , , , / , , , / , / (in an instrument)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Key — (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.] 1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • KEY — ist das englische Wort für Schlüssel, und damit Bestandteil von Anglizismen: Key Account Key Account Manager etc. Key steht im Sinne von Cay für eine kleine flache Insel: insbesondere die Florida Keys, Inselkette im US Bundesstaat Florida, USA:… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Key — may refer to: Building* Key, Carpentry: timber or metal wedges used across or between two or more members to act as a tightening agent. * Key, Painting: to rough the surface of previous coats of paint to allow a secure bond for the next or top… …   Wikipedia

  • Key — ist das englische Wort für Schlüssel, und damit Bestandteil von Anglizismen: Key Account Key Account Manager etc. Key steht im Sinne von Cay für eine kleine flache Insel: insbesondere die Florida Keys, Inselkette im US Bundesstaat Florida, USA:… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • KeY — is a formal software development tool that aims to integrate design, implementation, formal specification, and formal verification of object oriented software. It supports programs written in Java (more precisely: in a superset of Java Card) and… …   Wikipedia

  • key — key1 [kē] n. pl. keys [ME keye < OE cæge, akin to OFris kei, kēia, to secure, guard] 1. an instrument, usually of metal, for moving the bolt of a lock and thus locking or unlocking something 2. any of several instruments or mechanical devices… …   English World dictionary

  • key to — ˈkey to [transitive] usually passive [present tense I/you/we/they key to he/she/it keys to present participle keying to past tense keyed to …   Useful english dictionary

  • Key — Key, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Keved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Keying}.] 1. To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges. Francis. [1913 Webster] 2. (Computers) To enter (text, data) using keys, especially those on a keyboard; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • key — adj: of vital importance (as in a business organization) esp. so as to be specially insured to the benefit of an employer key man key employee insurance Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • key — Ⅰ. key [1] ► NOUN (pl. keys) 1) a small piece of shaped metal which is inserted into a lock and rotated to open or close it. 2) an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut. 3) a lever depressed by the finger in playing an… …   English terms dictionary

  • key — key, a. Essential; most important; as, the key fact in the inquiry; the president was the key player inthe negotiations. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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