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.