What (who) is key - definition
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Keys; The Key (film); Key (disambiguation); The Key (disambiguation); The Key (song); The Key (novel); KEY; The Key (album); The Key; Key (album); Key (song)
key
key1
¦ noun (plural keys)
1. a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into the lock and rotated to open or close it or to operate a switch.
an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut.
a pin, bolt, or wedge inserted into a hole or between parts so as to lock the parts together.
2. a lever depressed by the finger in playing an instrument such as the organ, piano, flute, or concertina.
3. each of several buttons on a panel for operating a typewriter, word processor, or computer terminal.
4. a lever operating a mechanical device for making or breaking an electric circuit.
5. a thing that provides access to or understanding of something: a key to success.
an explanatory list of symbols used in a map or table.
a set of answers to exercises or problems.
a word or system for solving a cipher or code.
the first move in the solution of a chess problem.
6. Music a group of notes based on a particular note and comprising a scale, regarded as forming the tonal basis of a passage of music.
the tone or pitch of someone's voice.
7. the dry winged fruit of an ash, maple, or sycamore; a samara.
8. roughness on a surface, provided to assist adhesion of plaster or other material.
9. Basketball the keyhole-shaped area marked on the court near each basket.
¦ adjective of crucial importance: a key figure.
¦ verb (keys, keying, keyed)
1. enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard.
2. fasten into position with a pin, wedge, or bolt.
3. (key to) chiefly N. Amer. link with.
(key into/in with) be connected or in harmony with.
4. (be keyed up) be nervous, tense, or excited.
5. roughen (a surface) to assist adhesion of plaster or other material.
Phrases
in (or out of) key in (or out of) harmony.
Derivatives
keyed adjective
keyer noun
keyless adjective
Origin
OE cg, cge, of unknown origin.
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key2
¦ noun a low-lying island or reef, especially off the coast of Florida or in the Caribbean.
Origin
C17: from Sp. cayo 'reef', influenced by quay.
key
(keys, keying, keyed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle.
They put the key in the door and entered...
N-COUNT
2.
The keys on a computer keyboard or typewriter are the buttons that you press in order to operate it.
N-COUNT: usu pl
3.
The keys of a piano or organ are the long narrow pieces of wood or plastic that you press in order to play it.
N-COUNT: usu pl
4.
In music, a key is a scale of musical notes that starts on one specific note.
...the key of A minor.
N-VAR
5.
The key on a map or diagram or in a technical book is a list of the symbols or abbreviations used and their meanings.
You will find a key at the front of the book.
N-COUNT
6.
The key person or thing in a group is the most important one.
He is expected to be the key witness at the trial...
ADJ: ADJ n
7.
The key to a desirable situation or result is the way in which it can be achieved.
The key to success is to be ready from the start...
N-COUNT: usu N to n
8.
see also master key
key
Key is simply a word you use instead of cool, dope, sweet, awesome, etc.
The new ruler of Neptine is key. he has a key butt!
The new ruler of Neptine is key. he has a key butt!
Pronunciation examples for key
1. Key.
Swordfish (2001)
2. key.
Steal like an Artist _ Austin Kleon _ Talks at Google
3. David was key, Joshua was key, Lakia Washington was key.
Banks _ Talks at Google
4. the key part, the key funny part.
Hacking Public Speaking - Do You Talk Funny _ David Nihill _ Talks at Google
5. The key to it, the key step--
The Amateur Gourmet _ Adam Roberts _ Talks at Google
Examples of use of key
1. "We all know agriculture is the key, the EU holds the key, and now is the time to turn the key." Additional reporting by John Thornhill in Paris
2. Ambassador, you‘re the key!‘‘ I said. No, I‘m not the key,‘‘ Zhang replied.
3. Internal violence a key issue÷ Internal violence has become a key issue for the Palestinian leadership.
4. Key allies Jordan and Turkey, key allies of the US, were major recipients of Iraqi oil.
5. Among the first to grow it was Fraser Key, of EM Key & Son in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.