something that affords a means of access: the key to happiness.
5.
something that secures or controls entrance to a place: Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.
6.
something that affords a means of clarifying a problem.
7.
a book, pamphlet, or other text containing the solutions or translations of material given elsewhere, as testing exercises.
8.
a systematic explanation of abbreviations, symbols, etc., used in a dictionary, map, etc.: pronunciation key. Compare legend(def. 4).
9.
the system, method, pattern, etc., used to decode or decipher a cryptogram, as a code book, machine setting, or key word.
10.
one of a set of marked parts, designated areas, or levers pressed in operating a typewriter, computer terminal, calculator, etc.
11.
a manually operated lever for opening and closing an electric circuit, used to produce signals in telegraphy.
12.
Music.
a.
(in a keyboard instrument) one of the levers that when depressed by the performer sets in motion the playing mechanism.
b.
(on a woodwind instrument) a metal lever that opens and closes a vent.
c.
the relationship perceived between all tones in a given unit of music and a single tone or a keynote; tonality.
d.
the principal tonality of a composition: a symphony in the key of C minor.
e.
the keynote or tonic of a scale.
13.
tone or pitch, as of voice: to speak in a high key.
14.
mood or characteristic style, as of expression or thought: He writes in a melancholy key.
15.
degree of intensity, as of feeling or action.
16.
a pin, bolt, wedge, or other piece inserted in a hole or space to lock or hold parts of a mechanism or structure together; a cotter.
17.
a small piece of steel fitting into matching slots of a hub of a wheel or the like and the shaft on which the wheel is mounted so that torque is transmitted from one to the other.
18.
a contrivance for grasping and turning a bolt, nut, etc.
19.
Computers. a field or group of characters within a record that identifies the record, establishing its position among sorted records, and/or provides information about its contents.
20.
(in a series of advertisements or announcements soliciting replies) a unique code inserted for each medium used, to determine the relative effectiveness of the media.
21.
Electricity.
a.
a device for opening and closing electrical contacts.
b.
a hand-operated switching device ordinarily formed of concealed spring contacts with an exposed handle or push button, capable of switching one or more parts of a circuit.
22.
Biology. a systematic tabular classification of the significant characteristics of the members of a group of organisms to facilitate identification and comparison.
23.
Masonry. a keystone.
24.
Architecture. (in a ribbed vault) a stone, as a boss, at the intersection of two or more ribs.
25.
Masonry,Carpentry. a wedge, as for tightening a joint or splitting a stone or timber.
26.
Carpentry. a small piece of wood set into a timber across the grain to prevent warping.
27.
Building Trades. any grooving or roughness applied to a surface to improve its bond with another surface.
Photography. the dominant tonal value of a picture, a high-key picture having light tonal values and minimal contrast and a low-key picture being generally dark with minimal contrast.
30.
Painting. the tonal value and intensity of a color or range of colors: Rembrandt's colors are characterized by their low key.
31.
Botany. a samara.
32.
(initial capital letter) a member of the House of Keys.
33.
keys, spiritual authority.
–adjective
34.
chief; major; important; essential; fundamental; pivotal: a key person in the company; key industries.
–verb (used with object)
35.
to regulate or adjust (actions, thoughts, speech, etc.) to a particular state or activity; bring into conformity: to key one's speech to the intellectual level of the audience.
36.
Music. to regulate the key or pitch of.
37.
Painting.
a.
to paint (a picture) in a given key.
b.
to adjust the colors in (a painting) to a particular hue: He keyed the painting to brown.
38.
to fasten, secure, or adjust with a key, wedge, or the like, as parts of a mechanism.
39.
to provide with a key.
40.
(in the layout of newspapers, magazines, etc.) to identify, through signs or symbols, the positions of illustrations or pieces of copy in a dummy.
41.
to lock with or as if with a key.
42.
Masonry. to provide (an arch or vault) with a keystone.
A notched and grooved, usually metal implement that is turned to open or close a lock.
A similar device used for opening or winding: the key of a clock; a can that has a key attached.
A vital, crucial element.
A set of answers to a test.
A table, gloss, or cipher for decoding or interpreting.
A button or lever that is depressed to operate a machine.
A button that is depressed to cause a corresponding character or function to be typed or executed by a typewriter or to be accepted as input by a computer.
Music A button or lever that is depressed with the finger to produce or modulate the sound of an instrument, such as a clarinet or piano.
A tonal system consisting of seven tones in fixed relationship to a tonic, having a characteristic key signature and being the structural foundation of the bulk of Western music; tonality.
The principal tonality of a work: an etude in the key of E.
A means of access, control, or possession.
A vital, crucial element.
A set of answers to a test.
A table, gloss, or cipher for decoding or interpreting.
A button or lever that is depressed to operate a machine.
A button that is depressed to cause a corresponding character or function to be typed or executed by a typewriter or to be accepted as input by a computer.
Music A button or lever that is depressed with the finger to produce or modulate the sound of an instrument, such as a clarinet or piano.
A tonal system consisting of seven tones in fixed relationship to a tonic, having a characteristic key signature and being the structural foundation of the bulk of Western music; tonality.
The principal tonality of a work: an etude in the key of E.
A device, such as a wedge or pin, inserted to lock together mechanical or structural parts.
Architecture The keystone in the crown of an arch.
A button or lever that is depressed to operate a machine.
A button that is depressed to cause a corresponding character or function to be typed or executed by a typewriter or to be accepted as input by a computer.
Music A button or lever that is depressed with the finger to produce or modulate the sound of an instrument, such as a clarinet or piano.
A tonal system consisting of seven tones in fixed relationship to a tonic, having a characteristic key signature and being the structural foundation of the bulk of Western music; tonality.
The principal tonality of a work: an etude in the key of E.
Music
A tonal system consisting of seven tones in fixed relationship to a tonic, having a characteristic key signature and being the structural foundation of the bulk of Western music; tonality.
The principal tonality of a work: an etude in the key of E.
The pitch of a voice or other sound.
A characteristic tone or level of intensity, as of a speech or sales campaign. Often used in combination: high-key; low-key.
Botany A samara.
An outline of the distinguishing characteristics of a group of organisms, used as a guide in taxonomic identification.
Basketball An area at each end of the court between the base line and the foul line and including the jump-ball circle at the foul line: a jump shot from the top of the key.
adj.
Of crucial importance; significant: key decisions; the key element of the thesis.
v.
keyed, key·ing, keys
v.
tr.
To lock with or as if with a key.
Architecture To furnish (an arch) with a keystone.
Music To regulate the pitch of.
To bring into harmony; adjust or adapt.
To supply an explanatory key for.
To operate (a device), as for typesetting, by means of a keyboard.
To enter (data) into a computer by means of a keyboard.
To identify (a biological specimen).
To vandalize or mar by scratching with a key: Vandals keyed the cars left in the parking garage.
v.
intr.
To pay close attention; focus: improved service by keying on customer complaints; keyed in on the main points of the lecture.
Sports To watch or cover an opposing player closely in an effort to limit the player's effectiveness. Used with on:"[She] still carries the burden of scoring ... even though opponents key on her throughout every game"(Josh Barr).
Phrasal Verb(s): key up
To make intense, excited, or nervous.
Idiom(s):
in key
In consonance with other factors.
Idiom(s):
out of key
Not in consonance with other factors.
KeyAudio Help (kē) Pronunciation Key
American lawyer and poet who wrote "Defense of Fort M'Henry" after witnessing the British attack on Fort McHenry at Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814. The poem was set to the music of an 18th-century tune called "To Anacreon in Heaven," renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner," and in 1931 was adopted by Congress as the national anthem.
"metal piece that works a lock," from O.E. cæg, of unknown origin, with no certain cognates other than O.Fris. kei. Perhaps related to M.L.G. keie "lance, spear" on notion of "tool to cleave with," from P.Gmc. *ki- "to cleaver, split" (cf. Ger. Keil "wedge," Goth. us-kijans "come forth," said of seed sprouts, keinan "to germinate"). Figurative sense of "that which serves to open or explain" was in O.E.; meaning "that which holds together other parts" is from 1523. Musical sense of "tone, note" is 15c., but modern sense of "scale" is 1590, probably from L. clavis or Fr. clef, from use in the Guidonian system for lowest note of a scale, which is its basis (cf. keynote). Also extended to "mechanism on a musical instrument" (c.1500).
"low island," 1697, from Sp. cayo "shoal, reef," from Taino cayo "small island;" spelling infl. by M.E. key "wharf" (1306), from O.Fr. kai "sand bank" (see quay).
serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure" [syn: cardinal]
noun
1.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
2.
something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"
3.
pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"
4.
any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music [ant: atonalism]
5.
a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
6.
a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple [syn: samara]
7.
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)
8.
a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
9.
(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"
10.
a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
11.
a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
12.
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"
13.
mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) [syn: winder]
14.
the central building block at the top of an arch or vault [syn: keystone]
15.
a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed
verb
1.
identify as in botany or biology, for example [syn: identify]
2.
provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
3.
vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
4.
regulate the musical pitch of
5.
harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"
The main or central note of a piece of music (or part of a piece of music). Each key has its own scale, beginning and ending on the note that defines the octave of the next scale. The key of C-major uses a scale that starts on C and uses only the white keys of the piano. In a piece composed in the key of C, the music is likely to end on the note C, and certain combinations of notes based on C will predominate.
key 1. A value used to identify a record in a database, derived by applying some fixed function to the record. The key is often simply one of the fields (a column if the database is considered as a table with records being rows, see "key field"). Alternatively the key may be obtained by applying some function, e.g. a hash function, to one or more of the fields. The set of keys for all records forms an index. Multiple indexes may be built for one database depending on how it is to be searched. 2. A value which must be fed into the algorithm used to decode an encrypted message in order to reproduce the original plain text. Some encryption schemes use the same (secret) key to encrypt and decrypt a message, but public key encryption uses a "private" (secret) key and a "public" key which is known by all parties. 3. An electromechanical keyboard button. (2003-07-04)
Key Biscayne, FL (CDP, FIPS 36300) Location: 25.68995 N, 80.16535 W Population (1990): 8854 (5724 housing units) Area: 3.3 sq km (land), 0.3 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 33149
Key West, FL (city, FIPS 36550) Location: 24.56284 N, 81.77521 W Population (1990): 24832 (12221 housing units) Area: 14.2 sq km (land), 3.7 sq km (water)
Key Largo, FL (CDP, FIPS 36375) Location: 25.10606 N, 80.44130 W Population (1990): 11336 (7594 housing units) Area: 24.1 sq km (land), 33.9 sq km (water)
North Key Largo, FL (CDP, FIPS 49406) Location: 25.26685 N, 80.32356 W Population (1990): 1490 (1587 housing units) Area: 49.1 sq km (land), 2.3 sq km (water)
Key Colony Beach, FL (city, FIPS 36325) Location: 24.72256 N, 81.02331 W Population (1990): 977 (1152 housing units) Area: 1.3 sq km (land), 0.4 sq km (water)
Summerland Key, FL Zip code(s): 33042
Tutor Key, KY Zip code(s): 41263
Cedar Key, FL (city, FIPS 11225) Location: 29.14627 N, 83.03957 W Population (1990): 668 (479 housing units) Area: 2.2 sq km (land), 2.8 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 32625
Cudjoe Key, FL (CDP, FIPS 15862) Location: 24.67099 N, 81.49849 W Population (1990): 1714 (1263 housing units) Area: 13.6 sq km (land), 1.0 sq km (water)
Longboat Key, FL (town, FIPS 41150) Location: 27.38736 N, 82.63659 W Population (1990): 5937 (7067 housing units) Area: 12.7 sq km (land), 31.5 sq km (water)
Manasota Key, FL (CDP, FIPS 42750) Location: 26.92486 N, 82.35220 W Population (1990): 1395 (1985 housing units) Area: 2.8 sq km (land), 4.3 sq km (water)
Plantation Key, FL (CDP, FIPS 57512) Location: 24.98431 N, 80.56122 W Population (1990): 4405 (2961 housing units) Area: 8.4 sq km (land), 16.8 sq km (water)
Siesta Key, FL (CDP, FIPS 66000) Location: 27.27707 N, 82.55153 W Population (1990): 7772 (8077 housing units) Area: 5.9 sq km (land), 3.0 sq km (water)
Big Pine Key, FL (CDP, FIPS 6425) Location: 24.68693 N, 81.36615 W Population (1990): 4206 (2453 housing units) Area: 25.3 sq km (land), 0.5 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 33043
Big Coppitt Key, FL (CDP, FIPS 6350) Location: 24.59623 N, 81.66032 W Population (1990): 2388 (1257 housing units) Area: 3.6 sq km (land), 1.1 sq km (water)
Cot"ter\ (k[o^]t"t[~e]r), n. 1. A piece of wood or metal, commonly wedge-shaped, used for fastening together parts of a machine or structure. It is driven into an opening through one or all of the parts. Note: [See Illust.] In the United States a cotter is commonly called a key. 2. A toggle.
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. 2. An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc. 3. 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. 4. 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. Those who are accustomed to reason have got the true key of books. --Locke. Who keeps the keys of all the creeds. --Tennyson. 5. That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position. 6. (Arch.) (a) A piece of wood used as a wedge. (b) The last board of a floor when laid down. 7. (Masonry) (a) A keystone. (b) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place. 8. (Mach.) (a) A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock. See Illusts. of Cotter, and Gib. (b) 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. 9. (Bot.) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit. 10. (Mus.) (a) 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. (b) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote. Both warbling of one song, both in one key. --Shak. 11. Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance. You fall at once into a lower key. --Cowper. Key bed. Same as Key seat. Key bolt, a bolt which has a mortise near the end, and is secured by a cotter or wedge instead of a nut. Key bugle. See Kent bugle. Key of a position or country. (Mil.) See Key, 4. Key seat (Mach.), a bed or groove to receive a key which prevents one part from turning on the other. Key way, a channel for a key, in the hole of a piece which is keyed to a shaft; an internal key seat; -- called also key seat. Key wrench (Mach.), an adjustable wrench in which the movable jaw is made fast by a key. Power of the keys (Eccl.), the authority claimed by the ministry in some Christian churches to administer the discipline of the church, and to grant or withhold its privileges; -- so called from the declaration of Christ, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." --Matt. xvi. 19.
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. 2. An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc. 3. 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. 4. 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. Those who are accustomed to reason have got the true key of books. --Locke. Who keeps the keys of all the creeds. --Tennyson. 5. That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position. 6. (Arch.) (a) A piece of wood used as a wedge. (b) The last board of a floor when laid down. 7. (Masonry) (a) A keystone. (b) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place. 8. (Mach.) (a) A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock. See Illusts. of Cotter, and Gib. (b) 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. 9. (Bot.) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit. 10. (Mus.) (a) 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. (b) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote. Both warbling of one song, both in one key. --Shak. 11. Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance. You fall at once into a lower key. --Cowper. Key bed. Same as Key seat. Key bolt, a bolt which has a mortise near the end, and is secured by a cotter or wedge instead of a nut. Key bugle. See Kent bugle. Key of a position or country. (Mil.) See Key, 4. Key seat (Mach.), a bed or groove to receive a key which prevents one part from turning on the other. Key way, a channel for a key, in the hole of a piece which is keyed to a shaft; an internal key seat; -- called also key seat. Key wrench (Mach.), an adjustable wrench in which the movable jaw is made fast by a key. Power of the keys (Eccl.), the authority claimed by the ministry in some Christian churches to administer the discipline of the church, and to grant or withhold its privileges; -- so called from the declaration of Christ, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." --Matt. xvi. 19.
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [kee] Pronunciation Key noun, plural keys, adjective, verb, keyed, key·ing. 
