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 1
Noun
1. a specially shaped metal instrument, for moving the bolt of a lock so as to lock or unlock a door, suitcase, etc.
2. an instrument that is turned to operate a valve, clock winding mechanism, etc.
3. any of a set of levers pressed to operate a typewriter, computer, or musical keyboard instrument
4. a scale of musical notes that starts at one specific note
5. something that is crucial in providing an explanation or interpretation
6. a means of achieving a desired end: education is the key to success in most walks of life today
7. a list of explanations of symbols, codes, or abbreviations
8. pitch: he spoke in a low key
Adjective
of great importance: key prosecution witnesses have been giving evidence
Verb
1. to harmonize with: training and educational programmes uniquely keyed for local needs
2. to adjust or fasten (something) with a key or some similar device
3. same as keyboard
See also key in [Old English cǣg]
key 2
Noun
same as cay
| key (k) See cay. |
In cartography, a term sometimes loosely used as a synonym for "legend." See also blue key; drawing key; legend.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  key - metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotatedbit - the part of a key that enters a lock and lifts the tumblers device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" ignition key - a key that operates the ignition switch of an automotive engine latchkey - key for raising or drawing back a latch or opening an outside door |
| 2. | key - something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration" explanation - thought that makes something comprehensible | |
| 3. | key - pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key" pitch - the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration | |
| 4. |  key - any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of musicmusical notation - (music) notation used by musicians major key, major mode - a key whose harmony is based on the major scale minor key, minor mode - a key based on the minor scale | |
| 5. | key - a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin" | |
| 6. |  key - a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or mapleachene - small dry indehiscent fruit with the seed distinct from the fruit wall | |
| 7. |  Key - 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) | |
| 8. |  key - a coral reef off the southern coast of FloridaEverglade State, FL, Florida, Sunshine State - a state in southeastern United States between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War coral reef - a reef consisting of coral consolidated into limestone | |
| 9. | key - (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" basketball, basketball game, hoops - a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop basketball court - the court on which basketball is played foul line - a line from which basketball players take penalty shots space - an area reserved for some particular purpose; "the laboratory's floor space" | |
| 10. | key - a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam" | |
| 11. | key - a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations key word - a word that is used as a pattern to decode an encrypted message | |
| 12. | key - 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" positive identification - evidence proving that you are who you say you are; evidence establishing that you are among the group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to acceptance; "a system for positive identification can prevent the use of a single identity by several people" | |
| 13. | key - mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) mechanical device - mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles watch key - winder consisting of a key with a square hole; used for winding some watches | |
| 14. | key - the central building block at the top of an arch or vault arch - (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it building block - a block of material used in construction work | |
| 15. | key - a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed action mechanism, action - the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism; "the piano had a very stiff action" command key, control key - (computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control characters keyboard - device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer or the like lever - a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum return key, return - the key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed shift key, shift - the key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letters space bar - the bar-shaped typewriter key that introduces spaces when used telegraph key - key consisting of a lever that sends a telegraph signal when it is depressed and the circuit is closed | |
| Verb | 1. | key - identify as in botany or biology, for example |
| 2. | key - provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building" | |
| 3. | key - vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot" | |
| 4. | key - regulate the musical pitch of music - (music) the sounds produced by singers or musical instruments (or reproductions of such sounds) | |
| 5. | key - harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude" | |
| Adj. | 1. | key - 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" |
key
Translations
key [kiː] n (gen) → llave f;
(on map) → clave f
cpd (= vital) [position, industry etc] → clave
vt (also: key in) → teclear
key [kiː] n (gen); (Mus) → clé f [of piano, typewriter]; touche f;
(on map) → légende f
adj [factor, role, area] → clé inv
cpd → (-)clé
vt (also: key in) [+ text]; saisir;
a key issue → un problème fondamental
key [kiː] n → Schlüssel m;
(Mus) → Tonart f;
(of piano, computer, typewriter) → Taste f
cpd (issue etc) → Schlüssel-
vt (also: key in) → eingeben
key [kiː] n (gen), (MUS) → chiave f [of piano, typewriter] → tasto;
(on map) → leg(g)enda
cpd (= vital) [position, industry etc] → chiave inv
key in vt [+ text] → introdurre da tastiera
n key [kiː]
1 an instrument or tool by which something (eg a lock or a nut) is turned Have you the key for this door? sleutel مِفْتاح ключ klíč nøgle der Schlüssel κλειδί llave võti کلید avain clef מַפתֵּחַ कुंजी, चाबी, ताली ključ kulcs kunci lykill chiave かぎ 열쇠 raktas atslēga kunci sleutel nøkkel klucz chave cheie (гаечный) ключ kľúč ključ ključ nyckel กุญแจ anahtar 鑰匙 ключ کوئی اوزار جو کنجی کا کام کرے chìa khóa 钥匙
2 in musical instruments, one of the small parts pressed to sound the notes piano keys. klawer مِفْتاح آلة موسيقيَّه клавиш klávesa tangent die Taste πλήκτρο (μουσ.) tecla klahv کلید kosketin touche מַקָש, קָלִיד सुर tipka billentyű tuts nóta, snertill tasto キー 키, 건반 klavišas taustiņš nada toets tangent klawisz tecla clapă клавиша klávesa tipka dirka tangent, klaff คานดีดแป้นเปียโน tuş 琴鍵 ключ ساز کے پردے کی کلید phím 琴键
3 in a typewriter, calculator etc, one of the parts which one presses to cause a letter etc to be printed, displayed etc. toets مِفتاح آلة الطِّباعَه буква klávesa, tlačítko tast die Taste πλήκτρο tecla klahv دکمه näppäin touche מַקָש टाइपराइटर की खूंटी tipka billentyű tuts lykill, hnappur tasto キー (자판·계산기의) 키 klavišas taustiņš mata toets tast, tangent klawisz tecla tastă клавиша klávesa, tlačidlo tipka taster tangent แป้น tuş 字鍵 клавіша ٹائپ رائٹر کیلکولیٹر وغیرہ کے حروف کی کلید nút bấnm 字键
4 the scale in which a piece of music is set What key are you singing in?; the key of F. toonaard مَقام موسيقي тон tónina toneart die Tonart κλειδί, τόνος (μουσ.) tono helistik سبک sävellaji ton סוּלָם संवादी या एक कम के स्वर tonalitet hangnem nada tóntegund tono 調 가락, 조 raktas, tonacija toņkārta nada toonaard toneart tonacja escala cheie (muzicală) тональность tónina tonovski način, ključ tonalitet tonart ระดับเสียงของโน้ตดนตรี anahtar, perde 調 тональність کوئی خاص سر tông, âm điệu 调
5 something that explains a mystery or gives an answer to a mystery, a code etc the key to the whole problem. sleutelpunt مِفتاح القَضِيَّه отговор klíč nøgle der Schlüssel κλειδί (μτφ.), λύση, εξήγηση clave võti کلید avain clef מַפתֵּחַ साधन rješenje kulcs kunci lykill að lausn chiave 解決のかぎ 단서, 실마리 raktas atrisinājums petunjuk sleutel nøkkel, fasit, kode klucz chave cheie разгадка kľúč ključ ključ lösning, förklaring คำเฉลย anahtar 秘訣 розгадка کسی راز کا انکشاف کرنے والا کلیدی لفظ chìa khóa; bí quyết 秘诀
6 in a map etc, a table explaining the symbols etc used in it. verklaring مُصْطَلَحات الخريطَه легенда legenda nøgle; symbolforklaring die Zeichenerklärung επεξηγηματικός πίνακας (π.χ. σε χάρτη) leyenda legend راهنما merkkien selitys légende מַפתֵּחַ संकेतों की सूची ključ jelmagyarázat legenda táknlykill legenda 記号の説明 기호 설명표 legenda atslēga; kods petunjuk verklaring tegnforklaring, nøkkel legenda escala legendă (a unei hărţi etc.) легенда legenda legenda legenda teckenförklaring, nyckel ตารางอธิบายความหมายของสัญลักษณ์ในแผนที่ kısaltmalar/açıklamalar listesi 圖例 позначення کسی نقشہ میں استعمال ہونے والے علامات کی توضیحی فہرست bảng dịch kí hiệu 图例
adj
most important key industries; He is a key man in the firm. sleutel أهم شَخْص أو شيء важен klíčový nøgle- maßgebend σημαντικός, καίριος clave võtme-, sõlm-, tähtsaim کلیدی؛ اصلی avainasemassa oleva -clef חִיוּנִי प्रमुख ključan legfőbb, kulcs- penting lykil- chiave 重要な 주된, 매우 중요한 pagrindinis galvenais; vadošais orang penting sleutel- nøkkel-, hoved- kluczowy essencial -cheie ключевой kľúčový ključen ključni nyckel-, huvud- สำคัญที่สุด ana, esas 關鍵的 головний, ключовий اہم تر then chốt 关键的
n keyboard
1 the keys in a piano, typewriter etc arranged along or on a flat board The pianist sat down at the keyboard and began to play; A computer keyboard looks like that of a typewriter; (also adjective ) harpsichords and other early keyboard instruments. sleutelbord لوْحَة المَفاتيح клавиатура klaviatura, klávesnice; klávesový klaviatur; tastatur; keyboard; klaviatur-; tastatur- die Tasten; Tasten- πληκτρολόγιο, που διαθέτει πλήκτρα teclado klaviatuur ردیف کلید ها؛ صفحه کلید koskettimet, näppäimistö (à) clavier מִקלֶדֶת कुंजीपटल tipkovnica klaviatúra, billentyűzet tuts lyklaborð; hljómborð tastiera 鍵盤 자판, 건반, 키보드 klaviatūra; klavišinis klaviatūra; tastatūra kekunci toetsenbord klaviatur, tangenter, manual; tastatur klawiatura, klawiszowy teclado tastatură; claviatură клавиатура klávesnica; klávesový klaviatura, tastatura tastatura klaviatur, tangentbord แถวก้านดีดของเปียโน; แป้นพิมพ์ดีด klâvye 鍵盤 клавіатура ٹائپ رائٹر یا پیانو وغیرہ کا کلیدی تختہ bàn phím 键盘
2 any keyboard (musical) instrument. klawerbord لَوْحَة المفاتيح الموسيقيَّه клавир klávesový nástroj keyboard die Klaviatur, das Keyboard μουσικό όργανο που διαθέτει πλήκτρα instrumento de teclado klahvistik هر ساز یا وسیله ای که دارای صفحه کلید باشد instrument à clavier מִקלֶדֶת कुंजीपटल glazbalo s tipkama billentyűs hangszer tuts strumento a tastiera 鍵盤のある楽器 klavišinis instrumentas taustiņinstruments papan nada toetsenbord elektronisk tangentinstrument, keyboard klawiatura клавишный инструмент klávesový nástroj klaviature klavijatura klaverinstrument, keyboard เครื่องดนตรีชนิดที่มีแป้นสำหรับดีด klâvye, elektrikli org 電子琴 клавішний інструмент کلیدی تختے والا کوئی بھی موسیقی کا ساز loại nhạc cụ bàn phím 电子琴
n keyhole
the hole in which a key of a door etc is placed The child looked through the keyhole to see if his teacher was still with his parents. sleutelgat ثَقْب القِفْل ключалка klíčová dírka nøglehul das Schlüsselloch κλειδαρότρυπα de la ojo cerradura võtmeauk سوراخ کلید avaimenreikä trou de serrure חוֹר הַמַנעוּל ताले का छेद ključaonica kulcslyuk lubang kunci skráargat buco della serratura かぎ穴 열쇠 구멍 rakto skylutė atslēgas caurums lubang kunci sleutelgat nøklehull dziurka od klucza buraco da fechadura gaura cheii замочная скважина kľúčová dierka ključavnična luknja ključaonica nyckelhål รูกุญแจ anahtar deliği 鎖眼 замкова щілина قفل کا منہ یا سوراخ جس میں کنجی ڈالی جاتی ہے lỗ khóa 锁眼
n keyhole surgery
surgery done through a very small cut in the body. minimaletoegangchirurgie جِراحَة بواسِطَة فَتحَة صَغيرَة جِداً في الجِسم хирургия с малки разрези chirurgický zákrok s minimálním řezem kikkertoperation die Schlüssellochoperation χειρουργική επέμβαση που γίνεται με τη βοήθεια πολύ μικρής τομής cirugía cerrada, cirugía no invasiva lukuaugukirurgia جراحی که تنها از راه یک بریدگی کوچک روی بدن صورت می گیرد לֶפרוסקוֹפִּיָה छोटे छेद कर के आपरेशन करना keyhole kirurgija minimál invazív sebészet, laparoszkópos sebészet operasi lewat sayatan kecil chirurgia non invasiva 栓孔手術 endoskopinė operacija mazinvazīvā ķirurģija pembedahan lubang kunci laparoscopie kikkhullkirurgi laparoskopia лапороскопия chirurgický zákrok s minimálnym rezom minimalna invazivna kirurgija operacija koja se vrši kroz veoma mali otvor na telu grundton การผ่าตัดโดยใช้เครื่องมือสอดลงไปในรูเล็กๆ ที่เจาะไว้บนผิวหนัง delik ameliyatı ‘洞眼'手術 артроскопічна операція جسم میں چھوٹا سے سوراخ کے ذریعہ کیا گیا عمل جراحت phẫu thuật nội soi ‘洞眼'手术
n keynote
1 the chief note in a musical key. grondtoon النغَمَة الرَّئيسيَّة في المفتاح الموسيقي основен тон tónika grundtone der Grundton τονική βαθμίδα (μουσ.) tónica põhitoon نت پایه perussävel tonique בְּסִיס הַסוּלָם किसी भाषण या किताब की मुख्य बात temeljni ton alaphang nada dasar grunntónn tonica 主音 주음(主音) pagrindinis tonas, tonika tonika not nada grondtoon grunntone tonika, ton podstawowy tónica tonică, notă fundamentală тоника tónina osnovni glas osnovni ton grundton ระดับเสียงหลัก ana/esas nota 基調 основна нота ключа, тональність کسی موسیقی کی کلید کا اہم سر âm chủ đạo 基调
2 the chief point or theme (of a lecture etc). hoofrede النُّقْطَة الرَّئيسيَّه основна мисъл hlavní/ústřední myšlenka grundidé das Hauptthema κεντρική ιδέα idea fundamental peateema مطلب اصلی pääteema idée dominante רַעיוֹן מֶרכָּזִי मूल विचार, प्रधान बात, असल बात, मूल भाव, बुनियादी बात या उसूल glavna misao fő téma tema grunntónn, meginþráður (concetto dominante) 基調 기조, 골자 pagrindinis akcentas, pagrindinė mintis pamatdoma; vadmotīvs ucapan dasar hoofdgedachte grunntone, hovedtanke, hovedtema myśl przewodnia assunto idee principală лейтмотив ústredná myšlienka vodilna misel glavna ideja grundtanke, grundprincip จุดสำคัญ ana fikir, temel kavram 要旨 провідна думка; лейтмотив کسی خطاب کا اہم حصہ ý chủ đạo 要旨
keyed up
excited; tense. gespanne wees; slaggereed wees مُنْفَعِل، مُتَوَتِّر възбуден rozrušený; napjatý forventningsfuld; anspændt angespannt σε υπερένταση nervioso, excitado üleskruvitud هیجان زده؛ عصبی pingottunut tendu להכניס למתח तनाव की स्थिति में uzbuđen (fel)izgatott tegang spenntur agitato 緊張した 긴장된 susijaudinęs, įsitempęs uzbudināts tegang opgewonden opphisset, anspent podniecony, spięty tenso încordat взвинченный rozrušený; napätý napet uznemiren upphetsad, uppjagad เครียด tedirgin, sinirli, heyecanlı 使激動；使緊張 збуджений, нервовий پر جوش ، مضطرب sôi nổi 使激动；使紧张
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
|