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.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Synonyms:

Lock opener / Clew, guide, explanation, solution, elucidation, clavis / Tonic, key-note, fundamental note, first note of the scale / Wedge, clamp / Lever (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 — 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 — 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
key — I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cǣg; akin to Old Frisian kēi key Date: before 12th century 1. a. a usually metal instrument by which the bolt of a lock is turned b. any of various devices having the form or function of such a… … New Collegiate Dictionary
key — See: LOW KEY, OFF KEY … Dictionary of American idioms
key — See: LOW KEY, OFF KEY … Dictionary of American idioms
key — Quay Quay, n. [F. quai. See {Key} quay.] A mole, bank, or wharf, formed toward the sea, or at the side of a harbor, river, or other navigable water, for convenience in loading and unloading vessels. [Written also {key}.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

key

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

English new terms dictionary

key

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link