Link Centre Dictionary

key

UK/kiː/ US/ki/ very common slang
noun (15) adjective (2) verb (5)

noun

1.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock''s mechanism can be rotated

2.

something crucial for explaining

  • “the key to development is economic integration”
3.

pitch of the voice

  • “he spoke in a low key”
4.

any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music

Synonyms
Antonyms
5.

a kilogram of a narcotic drug

  • “they were carrying two keys of heroin”
6.

a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple

Synonyms
7.

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)

Synonyms
8.
9.

(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”
Synonyms
10.

a list of answers to a test

  • “some students had stolen the key to the final exam”
11.

a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

12.

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.

mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)

Synonyms
14.

the central building block at the top of an arch or vault

Synonyms
15.

a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed

adjective

1.

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”
Synonyms
Similar
2.

effective; producing a desired effect

  • “the operative word”
Synonyms
Similar

verb

1.
2.

provide with a key

  • “We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building”
3.

vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key

  • “His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot”
4.
5.

harmonize with or adjust to

  • “key one”
  • “prevailing attitude”

Origin

From Middle English keye, kaye, keiȝe, from Old English cǣġ (“key, solution, experiment”) (whence also Scots key and kay (“key”)), from Anglo-Frisian Proto-West Germanic *kaiju, of uncertain origin. The only sure cognates are Saterland Frisian Koai (“key”), West Frisian kaai (“key”), and North Frisian kai, koie (“key”). Possibly from Proto-Germanic *kēgaz, *kēguz (“stake, post, pole”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵogʰ-, *ǵegʰ-, *ǵegʰn- (“branch, stake, bush”), which would make it cognate with Middle Low German kāk (“whipping post, pillory”), and perhaps to Middle Dutch keige (“javelin, spear”) and Middle Low German keie, keige (“spear”). For the semantic development, note that medieval keys were simply long poles (ending in a hook) with which a crossbar obstructing a door from the inside could be removed from the outside, by lifting it through a hole in the door. Liberman has noted, however, "The original meaning of *kaig-jo- was presumably '*pin with a twisted end.' Words with the root *kai- followed by a consonant meaning 'crooked, bent; twisted' are common only in the North Germanic languages."

Phrases

  • a golden key can open any door
  • accelerator key
  • Allen key
  • alt key
  • answer key
  • arrow key
  • barrel key
  • beanie key
  • key in
  • key in on
  • key off
  • key on

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Parts

Part of

Entails

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.