Definitions of key [ki]

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Definition of 'key'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) key
a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt.

2.  key
any of various devices functioning as a key:
the key of a clock.

3.  key
something that affords a means to achive, master, or understand something else:
the key to happiness; the key to training a dog.

4.  key
something that controls entrance to a place:
Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.

5.  key
a book or other text containing the solutions or translations of material given elsewhere, as testing exercises.

6.  key
a systematic explanation of abbreviations, symbols, and the like used in a dictionary, map, etc.: pronunciation key.

7.  key
the system, method, pattern, etc., used to decode or decipher a cryptogram.

8.  key
one of the buttons on the keyboard of a typewriter, computer, or the like that are pressed to operate the device.

9.  key
(in a keyboard instrument) one of the levers that when depressed by the performer sets in motion the playing mechanism.

10.  key
(on a woodwind instrument) a metal lever that opens and closes a vent.

11.  key
the relationship perceived between all tones in a given unit of music and a single tone or a keynote; tonality.

12.  key
the principal tonality of a composition.

13.  key
tone or pitch, as of voice:
to speak in a high key.

14.  key
mood or characteristic style.

15.  key
degree of intensity, as of feeling or action.

16.  key
a pin, bolt, wedge, or other piece inserted in a space to lock or hold parts of a mechanism or structure together.

17.  key
a contrivance for grasping and turning a bolt, nut, etc.

18.  key
a group of characters that identifies a record in a database or other computer file.

19.  key
a device for opening and closing electrical contacts, as a lever used to produce signals in telegraphy.

20.  key
a hand-operated switching device capable of switching one or more parts of a circuit.

21.  key
Biol. a systematic tabular classification of the significant characteristics of the members of a group of organisms to facilitate identification and comparison.

22.  key
Archit. a keystone or boss.

23.  key
a wedge, as for tightening a joint or splitting a stone or timber.

24.  key
the dominant tonal value of a photograph, high key being light tonal value with minimal contrast and low key being generally dark with minimal contrast.

25.  key
Bot. a samara.

26. (adj.) key
chief; major:
a key industry; The decision will be key.

27. (v.t.) key
to regulate or adjust (actions, thoughts, speech, etc.) to a particular state or activity; bring into conformity.

28.  key
to provide with a key.

29.  key
to mark or set (a text, layout, diagram, etc.) with symbols, letters, etc., as to show where certain matter should be inserted or to indicate where more detailed information can be found.

30.  key
to lock with a key.

31.  key
to provide (an arch or vault) with a keystone.

32.  key
to keyboard (data) into a computer (sometimes fol. by in).

33. (v.i.) key
to use a key.

34.  key
to keyboard.

35.  key
key (in) on,

36.  key
to single out as important.

37.  key
key up,

38.  key
to increase tension in; stimulate.

39. (n.) key
a reef or low island; cay.

40. (n.) key
a kilogram of marijuana or a narcotic drug.

41. (n.) Key
Francis Scott, 1780–1843, U.S. lawyer: author of
The Star-Spangled Banner.

Definition of 'key'

Princeton's WordNet

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

2. (noun) key
something crucial for explaining
"the key to development is economic integration"

3. (noun) key
pitch of the voice
"he spoke in a low key"

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

5. (noun) key
a kilogram of a narcotic drug
"they were carrying two keys of heroin"

6. (noun) samara, key fruit, key
a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple

7. (noun) Key, Francis Scott Key
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. (noun) key, cay, Florida key
a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida

9. (noun) key, paint
(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. (noun) key
a list of answers to a test
"some students had stolen the key to the final exam"

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

12. (noun) key
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. (noun) winder, key
mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)

14. (noun) keystone, key, headstone
the central building block at the top of an arch or vault

15. (adj) key
a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed

16. (verb) cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal
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"

17. (verb) identify, discover, key, key out, distinguish, describe, name
identify as in botany or biology, for example

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

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

20. (verb) key
regulate the musical pitch of

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

Definition of 'key'

Kernerman English Learner’s Dictionary

1. (noun) key
a metal object used to open a lock or to start a vehicle
to turn a key in the lock; the front door key; the keys to the car

2.  key
the most important thing you need to achieve sth
He believes that the key to building democracies is fighting poverty.

3.  key
one of the parts you press on a computer keyboard
the Ctrl key

4.  key
one of the parts you press on a piano or similar instrument
the black keys

5.  key
the description of the symbols on a map
Look at the key to see what the symbols mean.

6.  key
in music, one of the sets of notes that form the basis of western music
a song in the key of G

7. (verb) key
to enter information into a computer
I'm keying in all the changes.

Definition of 'key'

Webster Dictionary

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

3. (noun) key
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. (noun) key
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

5. (noun) key
that part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position

6. (noun) key
a piece of wood used as a wedge

7. (noun) key
the last board of a floor when laid down

8. (noun) key
a keystone

9. (noun) key
that part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place

10. (noun) key
a wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock

11. (noun) key
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

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

13. (noun) key
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

14. (noun) key
the fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote

15. (noun) key
fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance

16. (verb) key
to fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges

Definition of 'key'

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

1. key
A switch adapted for making and breaking contact easily when worked by hand, as a Morse telegraph key.

Translation of 'key'

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

Sense: an instrument or tool by which something (eg a lock or a nut) is turned Have you the key for this door?
Afrikaans: sleutel	Arabic: مِفْتاح	Bulgarian: ключ
Brazilian: chave	Czech: klíč	German: der Schlüssel
Danish: nøgle	Greek: κλειδί	Spanish: llave
Estonian: võti	Farsi: کلید	Finnish: avain
French: clef	Hebrew: מַפתֵּחַ	Hindi: कुंजी, चाबी, ताली
Croatian: ključ	Hungarian: kulcs	Indonesian: kunci
Icelandic: lykill	Italian: chiave	Japanese: かぎ
Korean: 열쇠	Lithuanian: raktas	Latvian: atslēga
Malay: kunci	Dutch: sleutel	Norwegian: nøkkel
Polish: klucz	Persian: کلید	Pashto: كلى
Portuguese: chave	Romanian: cheie	Russian: (гаечный) ключ
Slovak: kľúč	Slovenian: ključ	Serbian: ključ
Swedish: nyckel	Thai: กุญแจ	Turkish: anahtar
Taiwanese: 鑰匙	Ukrainian: ключ	Urdu: کوئی اوزار جو کنجی کا کام
Vietnamese: chìa khóa	Chinese: 钥匙
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