turn·key

(tûrn′kē′)

n. pl. turn·keys

The keeper of the keys in a prison; a jailer.

adj.

1. Supplied, installed, or purchased in a condition ready for immediate use, occupation, or operation: a turnkey computer system; a turnkey housing project.

2. Of or relating to something supplied, installed, or purchased in this manner: a turnkey agreement.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

turnkey

(ˈtɜːnˌkiː)

archaic a keeper of the keys, esp in a prison; warder or jailer

adj

(Civil Engineering) denoting a project, as in civil engineering, in which a single contractor has responsibility for the complete job from the start to the time of installation or occupancy

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

turn•key

(ˈtɜrnˌki)

n., pl. -keys,
adj. n.

1. a person who has charge of the keys of a prison; jailer.

adj.

2. ready for occupancy when turned over to the owner: turnkey housing.

3. fully equipped; ready to go into operation: a turnkey power plant.

[1645–55]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

turnkey - someone who guards prisoners

gaoler, jailer, jailor, prison guard, screw

keeper - someone in charge of other people; "am I my brother's keeper?"

law officer, lawman, peace officer - an officer of the law

turnkey

noun

A guard or keeper of a prison:

jailer, warden.

British: warder.

Translations

turnkey

[ˈtɜːnkiː]

A. N

1. (Hist) → llavero m (de una cárcel), carcelero m

2. (Comput) → llave f de seguridad

B. CPD turnkey system N (Comput) → sistema m de seguridad

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

The turnkey gave it as the result of his experience that some of

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He had liberty to walk in a small paved yard at a certain hour, and learnt from the turnkey, who came to unlock his cell and show him where to wash, that there was a regular time for visiting, every day, and that if any of his friends came to see him, he would be fetched down to the grate.

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"Is this young gentleman one of the 'prentices or articled ones of your office?" asked the turnkey, with a grin at Mr.

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"No; not until he attempted to kill the turnkey, who took his food to him."

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Pickwick into the prison; turning to the left, after they had entered, they passed through an open door into a lobby, from which a heavy gate, opposite to that by which they had entered, and which was guarded by a stout turnkey with the key in his hand, led at once into the interior of the prison.

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'Here,' said the turnkey, laying his hand upon his breast to keep him down.

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While they both remained speechless the turnkey entered the room, and, without taking any notice of what sufficiently discovered itself in the faces of them both, acquainted Jones that a man without desired to speak with him.

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Behind this turnkey, who introduced the Recorder, Rosa, the fair Frisian maid, had slipped into the recess of the door, with a handkerchief to her mouth to stifle her sobs.

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"Come, my boy," said the turnkey, "you have always been very quiet and reasonable, but you are getting vicious, it seems, and I wish you to know it in time.

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He slept so long and so soundly, that Mr Dennis began to think he might sleep on until the turnkey visited them.

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After speaking to the jailer, the magistrate turned to her and said, "The turnkey will take you to the prisoner's cell and leave you there for the night, if you desire it, but you can't have a light during the night--it is contrary to rules.

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Still, do not the turnkeys talk with your prisoners?"

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