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

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

   Category: Building Trades

2. any of various devices functioning as a key:

   the key of a clock.

3. something that affords a means to achive, master, or understand something else:

   the key to happiness; the key to training a dog.

4. something that controls entrance to a place:

   Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.

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

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

   Ref: Compare legend (def. 4). 4

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

   Category: Cryptography

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

   Category: Computers

9. (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

10. tone or pitch, as of voice:

    to speak in a high key.

11. mood or characteristic style.

12. degree of intensity, as of feeling or action.

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

    Category: Machinery

14. a contrivance for grasping and turning a bolt, nut, etc.

    Category: Machinery

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

    Category: Computers

16. 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

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

    Category: Biology

18. Archit. a keystone or boss.

    Category: Architecture, Building Trades

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

    Category: Building Trades

20. Category: Sport

    Ref: keyhole (def. 2). 2

21. 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

22. Bot. a samara.

    Category: Botany

23. (adj.)chief; major:

    a key industry; The decision will be key.

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

25. to provide with a key.

26. 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

27. to lock with a key.

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

    Category: Building Trades

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

    Category: Common Vocabulary, Computers

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

    Category: Common Vocabulary

31. to keyboard.

    Category: Computers

32. key (in) on, to single out as important.

    Category: Verb Phrase, Sport

33. 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.

1. a reef or low island; cay.

   Category: Geography (terms)

Origin of key:

1690–1700; < Sp cayo, prob. < Arawak

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

1. 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.)

1. Francis Scott, 1780–1843, U.S. lawyer: author of

   The Star-Spangled Banner.

   Category: Biography