Key

[kiː]

Definition

(noun.) metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated.

(noun.) a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed.

(noun.) pitch of the voice; 'he spoke in a low key'.

(noun.) something crucial for explaining; 'the key to development is economic integration'.

(noun.) a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access; 'a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it'.

(noun.) a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations.

(noun.) a list of answers to a test; 'some students had stolen the key to the final exam'.

(noun.) any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music.

(noun.) (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court; 'he hit a jump shot from the top of the key'; 'he dominates play in the paint'.

(noun.) a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida.

(noun.) United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812; the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner' (1779-1843).

(noun.) a kilogram of a narcotic drug; 'they were carrying two keys of heroin'.

(verb.) harmonize with or adjust to; 'key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude'.

(verb.) vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; 'His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot'.

(verb.) provide with a key; 'We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building'.

(verb.) regulate the musical pitch of.

Edited by Darrell--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) 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.

(n.) An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.

(n.) That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.

(n.) A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem.

(n.) That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.

(n.) A piece of wood used as a wedge.

(n.) The last board of a floor when laid down.

(n.) A keystone.

(n.) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.

(n.) A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.

(n.) A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.

(n.) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit.

(n.) A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.

(n.) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote.

(n.) Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.

(v. t.) To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.

Inputed by Clara

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. [1]. Clew, guide, explanation, solution, elucidation, CLAVIS.[2]. Tonic, key-note, fundamental note, first note of the scale.

Typist: Tim

Synonyms and Antonyms

SYN:Clew, guide, explanation, solution,[See EXPLANATION]

Typed by Duane

Definition

n. (Dryden). Same as Quay.

n. a low island near the coast.—Also Cay.

n. an instrument for shutting or opening a lock: that by which something is screwed or turned: the middle stone of an arch: a piece of wood let into another piece crosswise to prevent warping: (mus.) one of the small levers in musical instruments for producing notes: the fundamental note of a piece of music: that which explains a mystery: a book containing answers to exercises &c.—ns. Key′board the keys or levers in a piano or organ arranged along a flat board; Key′-bū′gle a bugle with keys having a compass of two octaves including semitones.—adjs. Key′-cold (Shak.) cold as a key lifeless; Keyed furnished with keys as a musical instrument: set to a particular key as a tune.—ns. Key′hole the hole in which a key of a door &c. is inserted; Key′note the key or fundamental note of a piece of music; any central principle or controlling thought; Key′-pin the pivot on which a pipe-key turns: a pin serving as fulcrum for a key of an organ &c.; Key′-plate the escutcheon around a keyhole; Key′ring a ring for holding a bunch of keys; Key′-seat a groove for receiving a key to prevent one piece of machinery from turning on another; Key′stone the stone at the apex of an arch: the chief element in any system.—Have the key of the street (coll.) to be locked out: to be homeless; Power of the keys the power to loose and bind to administer ecclesiastical discipline—a special authority conferred by Christ on Peter (Matt. xvi. 19) or Peter in conjunction with the other apostles and claimed by the popes as the alleged successors to St Peter. Others explain it as belonging only to the apostles themselves as descending to the bishops and clergy of the Christian Church or as belonging to all Christ's disciples alike.

Inputed by Elvira