key1
n.
(pl. keys)
- 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.
- a lever depressed by the finger in playing an instrument such as the organ, piano, flute, or concertina.
- each of several buttons on a panel for operating a typewriter, word processor, or computer terminal.
- a lever operating a mechanical device for making or breaking an electric circuit.
- 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.
- 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.
- the dry winged fruit of an ash, maple, or sycamore; a samara.
- roughness on a surface, provided to assist adhesion of plaster or other material.
- Basketball the keyhole-shaped area marked on the court near each basket.
adj.
of crucial importance:
a key figure.
v.
(keys, keying, keyed)
- enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard.
- fasten into position with a pin, wedge, or bolt.
-
(key to)
chiefly N. Amer. link with.
▸
(key into/in with)
be connected or in harmony with.
-
(be keyed up)
be nervous, tense, or excited.
- roughen (a surface) to assist adhesion of plaster or other material.
Phrase
- in
(or out of)
key
in (or out of) harmony.
Derivative
- keyed adj.
- keyer n.
- keyless adj.
Etymology
OE cæg, cæge, of unknown origin.
key2
n.
a low-lying island or reef, especially off the coast of Florida or in the Caribbean.
Etymology
C17: from Sp. cayo ‘reef’, influenced by quay.