Definitions for keyki

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

keyki(n.; adj.; v.)(pl.)keys

(n.)a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt.
Category: Building Trades
any of various devices functioning as a key:
the key of a clock.
something that affords a means to achive, master, or understand something else:
the key to happiness; the key to training a dog.
something that controls entrance to a place:
Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.
a book or other text containing the solutions or translations of material given elsewhere, as testing exercises.
a systematic explanation of abbreviations, symbols, and the like used in a dictionary, map, etc.: pronunciation key.
Ref: Compare legend (def. 4). 4
the system, method, pattern, etc., used to decode or decipher a cryptogram.
Category: Cryptography
one of the buttons on the keyboard of a typewriter, computer, or the like that are pressed to operate the device.
Category: Computers
(in a keyboard instrument) one of the levers that when depressed by the performer sets in motion the playing mechanism. (on a woodwind instrument) a metal lever that opens and closes a vent. the relationship perceived between all tones in a given unit of music and a single tone or a keynote; tonality. the principal tonality of a composition.
Category: Music and Dance
tone or pitch, as of voice:
to speak in a high key.
mood or characteristic style.
degree of intensity, as of feeling or action.
a pin, bolt, wedge, or other piece inserted in a space to lock or hold parts of a mechanism or structure together.
Category: Machinery
a contrivance for grasping and turning a bolt, nut, etc.
Category: Machinery
a group of characters that identifies a record in a database or other computer file.
Category: Computers
a device for opening and closing electrical contacts, as a lever used to produce signals in telegraphy. a hand-operated switching device capable of switching one or more parts of a circuit.
Category: Electricity and Magnetism
Biol. a systematic tabular classification of the significant characteristics of the members of a group of organisms to facilitate identification and comparison.
Category: Biology
Archit. a keystone or boss.
Category: Architecture, Building Trades
a wedge, as for tightening a joint or splitting a stone or timber.
Category: Building Trades
Category: Sport
Ref: keyhole (def. 2). 2
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.
Category: Photography
Bot. a samara.
Category: Botany
(adj.)chief; major:
a key industry; The decision will be key.
(v.t.)to regulate or adjust (actions, thoughts, speech, etc.) to a particular state or activity; bring into conformity.
to provide with a 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.
Category: Common Vocabulary, Journalism
to lock with a key.
to provide (an arch or vault) with a keystone.
Category: Building Trades
to keyboard (data) into a computer (sometimes fol. by in).
Category: Common Vocabulary, Computers
(v.i.)to use a key.
Category: Common Vocabulary
to keyboard.
Category: Computers
key (in) on, to single out as important.
Category: Verb Phrase, Sport
key up, to increase tension in; stimulate.
Category: Verb Phrase

Origin of key:

bef. 900; ME key(e), kay(e), OE cǣg, cǣge; c. OFris kei, kai

key′less(adj.)

keyki(n.)(pl.)keys.

a reef or low island; cay.
Category: Geography (terms)

Origin of key:

1690–1700; < Sp cayo, prob. < Arawak

key^*ki(n.)(pl.)keys.

a kilogram of marijuana or a narcotic drug.
Category: Common Vocabulary, Status (usage)

^* Slang..

Origin of key:

1965–70, Amer.; shortening and resp. of kilogram

Keyki(n.)

Francis Scott, 1780–1843, U.S. lawyer: author of
The Star-Spangled Banner.
Category: Biography

Princeton's WordNet

key(noun)
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
key(noun)
something crucial for explaining
"the key to development is economic integration"
key(noun)
pitch of the voice
"he spoke in a low key"
key, tonality(noun)
any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
key(noun)
a kilogram of a narcotic drug
"they were carrying two keys of heroin"
samara, key fruit, key(noun)
a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
Key, Francis Scott 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)
key, cay, Florida key(noun)
a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
key, paint(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"
key(noun)
a list of answers to a test
"some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
key(noun)
a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
key(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"
winder, key(noun)
mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
keystone, key, headstone(noun)
the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
key(adj)
a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed
cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal(verb)
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"
identify, discover, key, key out, distinguish, describe, name(verb)
identify as in botany or biology, for example
key(verb)
provide with a key
"We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
key(verb)
vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key
"His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
key(verb)
regulate the musical pitch of
key(verb)
harmonize with or adjust to
"key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

key(noun)ki
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
keyki
the most important thing you need to achieve sth
He believes that the key to building democracies is fighting poverty.
keyki
one of the parts you press on a computer keyboard
the Ctrl key
keyki
one of the parts you press on a piano or similar instrument
the black keys
keyki
the description of the symbols on a map
Look at the key to see what the symbols mean.
keyki
in music, one of the sets of notes that form the basis of western music
a song in the key of G
key(verb)ki
to enter information into a computer
I'm keying in all the changes.

Webster Dictionary

Key(noun)
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
Key(noun)
an instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc
Key(noun)
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
Key(noun)
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
Key(noun)
that part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position
Key(noun)
a piece of wood used as a wedge
Key(noun)
the last board of a floor when laid down
Key(noun)
a keystone
Key(noun)
that part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place
Key(noun)
a wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock
Key(noun)
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
Key(noun)
an indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit
Key(noun)
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
Key(noun)
the fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote
Key(noun)
fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance
Key(verb)
to fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges