Key (k ), Francis Scott 1779-1843. American lawyer and poet who wrote "Defense of Fort M'Henry" after witnessing the British attack on Fort McHenry at Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814. The poem was set to the music of an 18th-century tune called "To Anacreon in Heaven," renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner," and in 1931 was adopted by Congress as the national anthem. |
| key 1 (k) n. pl. keys 1. a. A notched and grooved, usually metal implement that is turned to open or close a lock. b. A similar device used for opening or winding: the key of a clock; a can that has a key attached. 2. A means of access, control, or possession. 3. a. A vital, crucial element. b. A set of answers to a test. c. A table, gloss, or cipher for decoding or interpreting. 4. A device, such as a wedge or pin, inserted to lock together mechanical or structural parts. 5. Architecture The keystone in the crown of an arch. 6. a. A button or lever that is depressed to operate a machine. b. A button that is depressed to cause a corresponding character or function to be typed or executed by a typewriter or to be accepted as input by a computer. c. Music A button or lever that is depressed with the finger to produce or modulate the sound of an instrument, such as a clarinet or piano. 7. Music a. A tonal system consisting of seven tones in fixed relationship to a tonic, having a characteristic key signature and being the structural foundation of the bulk of Western music; tonality. b. The principal tonality of a work: an etude in the key of E. 8. The pitch of a voice or other sound. 9. A characteristic tone or level of intensity, as of a speech or sales campaign. Often used in combination: high-key; low-key. 10. Botany A samara. 11. An outline of the distinguishing characteristics of a group of organisms, used as a guide in taxonomic identification. 12. Basketball An area at each end of the court between the base line and the foul line and including the jump-ball circle at the foul line: a jump shot from the top of the key. adj. Of crucial importance; significant: key decisions; the key element of the thesis. v. keyed, key·ing, keys v.tr. 1. To lock with or as if with a key. 2. Architecture To furnish (an arch) with a keystone. 3. Music To regulate the pitch of. 4. To bring into harmony; adjust or adapt. 5. To supply an explanatory key for. 6. a. To operate (a device), as for typesetting, by means of a keyboard. b. To enter (data) into a computer by means of a keyboard. 7. To identify (a biological specimen). 8. To vandalize or mar by scratching with a key: Vandals keyed the cars left in the parking garage. v.intr. Phrasal Verb: 1. To pay close attention; focus: improved service by keying on customer complaints; keyed in on the main points of the lecture. 2. Sports To watch or cover an opposing player closely in an effort to limit the player's effectiveness. Used with on: "[She] still carries the burden of scoring ... even though opponents key on her throughout every game" (Josh Barr). key up Idioms: To make intense, excited, or nervous. in key In consonance with other factors. out of key Not in consonance with other factors. [Middle English kai, kei, from Old English c  g.] |
| key 2 (k) n. pl. keys A low offshore island or reef, especially in the Gulf of Mexico; a cay. [Alteration (influenced by key, variant of quay) of Spanish cayo; see cay.] |
| key 3 (k) n. pl. keys Slang A kilogram of marijuana, cocaine, or heroin. [Shortening and alteration of kilogram.] |
key up
vb
(tr, adverb) to raise the intensity, excitement, tension, etc., of
Translations
? key up
vt sep
she was (all) keyed up about the interview → sie war wegen des Interviews ganz aufgedreht (inf); he was all keyed up for the big race → er hatte sich schon ganz auf das große Rennen eingestellt
(Comput) → eingeben
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|