'Key' definitions:

Definition of 'key'

From: WordNet
adjective
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, central, fundamental, key, primal]
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
Something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"
noun
Pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"
noun
Any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music [syn: key, tonality] [ant: atonalism, atonality]
noun
A kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
noun
A winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple [syn: samara, key fruit, key]
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) [syn: Key, Francis Scott Key]
noun
A coral reef off the southern coast of Florida [syn: key, cay, Florida key]
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" [syn: key, paint]
noun
A list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
noun
A list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
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
Mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) [syn: winder, key]
noun
The central building block at the top of an arch or vault [syn: keystone, key, headstone]
noun
A lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed
verb
Identify as in botany or biology, for example [syn: identify, discover, key, key out, distinguish, describe, name]
verb
Provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
verb
Vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
verb
Regulate the musical pitch of
verb
Harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

Definition of 'Key'

From: GCIDE
  • Key \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 Webster]
  • 2. A small device which is inserted into a mechanism and turned like a key to fasten, adjust, or wind it; as, a watch key; a bed key; the winding key for a clock, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. One of a set of small movable parts on an instrument or machine which, by being depressed, serves as the means of operating it; the complete set of keys is usually called the keyboard; as, the keys of a piano, an organ, an accordion, a computer keyboard, or of a typewriter. The keys may operate parts of the instrument by a mechanical action, as on a piano, or by closing an electrical circuit, as on a computer keyboard. See also senses 12 and 13. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • 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. Similarly, see also senses 14 and 15. [1913 Webster]
  • Those who are accustomed to reason have got the true key of books. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
  • Who keeps the keys of all the creeds. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Arch.) (a) A piece of wood used as a wedge. (b) The last board of a floor when laid down. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. (Masonry) (a) A keystone. (b) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Both warbling of one song, both in one key. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 11. Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance. [1913 Webster]
  • You fall at once into a lower key. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
  • 12. (Teleg.) A metallic lever by which the circuit of the sending or transmitting part of a station equipment may be easily and rapidly opened and closed; as, a telegraph key. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • 13. any device for closing or opening an electric circuit, especially as part of a keyboard, as that used at a computer terminal or teletype terminal. [PJC]
  • 14. A simplified version or analysis which accompanies something as a clue to its explanation, a book or table containing the solutions to problems, ciphers, allegories, or the like; or (Biol.) a table or synopsis of conspicuous distinguishing characters of members of a taxonomic group. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • 15. (Computers) A word or other combination of symbols which serves as an index identifying and pointing to a particular record, file, or location which can be retrieved and displayed by a computer program; as, a database using multi-word keys. When the key is a word, it is also called a keyword. [PJC]
  • 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 Key of a 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Key'

From: GCIDE
  • 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 keyboard; as, to key the data in by hand. [PJC]
  • 3. To adjust so as to be maximally effective in a particular situation; -- of actions, plans, or speech; as, to key one's campaign speech to each local audience. [PJC]
  • 4. To furnish with a key or keys. [PJC]
  • To key up. (a) (Arch.) To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its centering, by driving in the keystone forcibly. (b) (Mus.) To raise the pitch of. (c) Hence, (fig.), to produce nervous tension in; as, the whole team was keyed up for the championship game. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'key'

From: GCIDE
  • key \key\, a. Essential; most important; as, the key fact in the inquiry; the president was the key player inthe negotiations. [PJC]

Definition of 'key'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'key'

From: GCIDE
  • Cotter \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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A toggle. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Key'

From: Easton
  • Key frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is called in Hebrew _maphteah_, i.e., the opener (Judg. 3:25); and in the Greek New Testament _kleis_, from its use in shutting (Matt. 16:19; Luke 11:52; Rev. 1:18, etc.). Figures of ancient Egyptian keys are frequently found on the monuments, also of Assyrian locks and keys of wood, and of a large size (comp. Isa. 22:22).
  • The word is used figuratively of power or authority or office (Isa. 22:22; Rev. 3:7; Rev. 1:8; comp. 9:1; 20:1; comp. also Matt. 16:19; 18:18). The "key of knowledge" (Luke 11:52; comp. Matt. 23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of God. The "power of the keys" is a phrase in general use to denote the extent of ecclesiastical authority.

Synonyms of 'key'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Key'