Key

10 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Key \Key\ (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.]
     1. An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot
        or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to
        the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning
        in its place.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. A small device which is inserted into a mechanism and
        turned like a key to fasten, adjust, or wind it; as, a
        watch key; a bed key; the winding key for a clock, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. One of a set of small movable parts on an instrument or
        machine which, by being depressed, serves as the means of
        operating it; the complete set of keys is usually called
        the keyboard; as, the keys of a piano, an organ, an
        accordion, a computer keyboard, or of a typewriter. The
        keys may operate parts of the instrument by a mechanical
        action, as on a piano, or by closing an electrical
        circuit, as on a computer keyboard. See also senses 12 and
        13.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     4. A position or condition which affords entrance, control,
        pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the
        key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence,
        that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve
        something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle;
        the key to a problem. Similarly, see also senses 14 and
        15.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Those who are accustomed to reason have got the true
              key of books.                         --Locke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Who keeps the keys of all the creeds. --Tennyson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make
        fast, or adjust to position.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. (Arch.)
        (a) A piece of wood used as a wedge.
        (b) The last board of a floor when laid down.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     7. (Masonry)
        (a) A keystone.
        (b) That part of the plastering which is forced through
            between the laths and holds the rest in place.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     8. (Mach.)
        (a) A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their
            relative position; a cotter; a forelock. See Illusts.
            of {Cotter}, and {Gib}.
        (b) A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley,
            coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative
            turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more
            frequently by its resistance to shearing, being
            usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the
            crank, pulley, etc.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     9. (Bot.) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a
        wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; --
        called also {key fruit}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     10. (Mus.)
         (a) A family of tones whose regular members are called
             diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one
             (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five,
             subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or
             two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are
             temporary members of a key, under such names as "
             sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of
             every variety are made from the tones of a key.
         (b) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its
             modulations are referred, and with which it generally
             begins and ends; keynote.
             [1913 Webster]
  
                   Both warbling of one song, both in one key.
                                                    --Shak.
             [1913 Webster]
  
     11. Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or
         utterance.
         [1913 Webster]
  
               You fall at once into a lower key.   --Cowper.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     12. (Teleg.) A metallic lever by which the circuit of the
         sending or transmitting part of a station equipment may
         be easily and rapidly opened and closed; as, a telegraph
         key.
         [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     13. any device for closing or opening an electric circuit,
         especially as part of a keyboard, as that used at a
         computer terminal or teletype terminal.
         [PJC]
  
     14. A simplified version or analysis which accompanies
         something as a clue to its explanation, a book or table
         containing the solutions to problems, ciphers,
         allegories, or the like; or (Biol.) a table or synopsis
         of conspicuous distinguishing characters of members of a
         taxonomic group.
         [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     15. (Computers) A word or other combination of symbols which
         serves as an index identifying and pointing to a
         particular record, file, or location which can be
         retrieved and displayed by a computer program; as, a
         database using multi-word keys. When the key is a word,
         it is also called a {keyword}.
         [PJC]
  
     {Key bed}. Same as {Key seat}.
  
     {Key bolt}, a bolt which has a mortise near the end, and is
        secured by a cotter or wedge instead of a nut.
  
     {Key bugle}. See {Kent bugle}.
  
     {Key of a position} or {Key of a country.} (Mil.) See {Key},
        4.
  
     {Key seat} (Mach.), a bed or groove to receive a key which
        prevents one part from turning on the other.
  
     {Key way}, a channel for a key, in the hole of a piece which
        is keyed to a shaft; an internal key seat; -- called also
        {key seat}.
  
     {Key wrench} (Mach.), an adjustable wrench in which the
        movable jaw is made fast by a key.
  
     {Power of the keys} (Eccl.), the authority claimed by the
        ministry in some Christian churches to administer the
        discipline of the church, and to grant or withhold its
        privileges; -- so called from the declaration of Christ,
        "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
        --Matt. xvi. 19.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  key \key\, a.
     Essential; most important; as, the key fact in the inquiry;
     the president was the key player inthe negotiations.
     [PJC]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Key \Key\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Keved}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Keying}.]
     1. To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys
        or wedges. --Francis.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Computers) To enter (text, data) using keys, especially
        those on a keyboard; to keyboard; as, to key the data in
        by hand.
        [PJC]
  
     3. To adjust so as to be maximally effective in a particular
        situation; -- of actions, plans, or speech; as, to key
        one's campaign speech to each local audience.
        [PJC]
  
     4. To furnish with a key or keys.
        [PJC]
  
     {To key up}.
        (a) (Arch.) To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its
            centering, by driving in the keystone forcibly.
        (b) (Mus.) To raise the pitch of.
        (c) Hence, (fig.), to produce nervous tension in; as, the
            whole team was keyed up for the championship game.
            [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Quay \Quay\, n. [F. quai. See {Key} quay.]
     A mole, bank, or wharf, formed toward the sea, or at the side
     of a harbor, river, or other navigable water, for convenience
     in loading and unloading vessels. [Written also {key}.]
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Cotter \Cot"ter\ (k[o^]t"t[~e]r), n.
     1. A piece of wood or metal, commonly wedge-shaped, used for
        fastening together parts of a machine or structure. It is
        driven into an opening through one or all of the parts.
  
     Note: [See Illust.] In the United States a cotter is commonly
           called a {key}.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A toggle.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  key
       adj 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" [syn: {cardinal},
               {central}, {fundamental}, {primal}]
       2: effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word"
          [syn: {operative}]
       n 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 [syn: {tonality}]
          [ant: {atonality}]
       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 [syn: {samara}, {key fruit}]
       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) [syn: {Francis Scott Key}]
       8: a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida [syn: {cay},
          {Florida keys}]
       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" [syn: {paint}]
       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) [syn: {winder}]
       14: the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
           [syn: {keystone}, {headstone}]
       15: a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed
       v 1: identify as in botany or biology, for example [syn: {identify},
             {discover}, {key out}, {distinguish}, {describe}, {name}]
       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: regulate the musical pitch of
       5: harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the
          voters' prevailing attitude"

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  316 Moby Thesaurus words for "key":
     French pitch, Rasputin, Svengali, TelAutography, Teletype,
     Teletype network, Teletyping, VIP, access, accommodate, accord,
     achromatism, adapt, adjust, adjust to, aerophone, ait,
     amplification, archipelago, assimilate, atoll, attune, axial,
     bad influence, bang, bar, barricade, batten, batten down, bell,
     big wheel, bilingual text, bolt, bottle opener, button, button up,
     can opener, cast, catchword, cay, centermost, central, centralized,
     centric, centroidal, centrosymmetric, choke, choke off, chromatism,
     chromism, church key, clap, clarification, classical pitch, clavis,
     close, close up, closed-circuit telegraphy, clue, code, color,
     color balance, color harmony, color scheme, coloration, coloring,
     complexion, concentrated, constrict, contain, continental island,
     contract, coordinate, coral head, coral island, coral reef,
     corkscrew, court, cover, crib, critical, crucial, cue, cue word,
     cut to, decipherment, decoding, decorator color, depth,
     description, dominant, double reed, duplex telegraphy, electricity,
     embouchure, eminence grise, equalize, essential, evidence,
     explanation, explication, facsimile telegraph,
     faithful translation, fasten, fit, five-percenter, fix, fold,
     fold up, free translation, frequency, friend at court, gear to,
     geocentric, gloss, glossary, good influence, gray eminence, guide,
     harmonize, heavyweight, height, hidden hand, high pitch, hint,
     holm, homologate, homologize, horn, hot lead, hue, humor,
     important, indication, indicator, influence, influence peddler,
     influencer, ingroup, insularity, interlinear,
     interlinear translation, interrupter, intimation, island,
     island group, islandology, isle, islet, key signature, key to,
     key word, keynote, kingmaker, latch, latchkey, latchstring, lead,
     legend, level, lip, lobby, lobbyist, lock, lock out, lock up,
     loose translation, lords of creation, low pitch, main, major,
     major key, make plumb, make uniform, man of influence, manipulator,
     master key, measure, mediant, metaphrase, middle, middlemost,
     midmost, minor, mood, mouthpiece, multiplex telegraphy,
     natural color, necessary, new philharmonic pitch, news ticker,
     note, occlude, oceanic island, omphalic, open sesame, opener,
     padlock, pallor, paraphrase, passkey, password, pedal point,
     philharmonic pitch, philosophical pitch, pipe, pitch, pivotal,
     plumb, pony, powers that be, pressure group, proportion,
     put in tune, quadruplex telegraphy, railroad telegraphy, receiver,
     reconcile, rectify, reed, reef, register, regulate, restatement,
     rewording, right, sandbank, sandbar, scent, seal, seal off,
     seal up, secure, sender, set, set right, shade, shut,
     shut the door, shut up, similarize, simplex telegraphy,
     single-current telegraphy, sinister influence, skeleton key,
     skin color, slam, slide, snap, sounder, special interests,
     special-interest group, spoor, squeeze shut, standard pitch,
     stock ticker, strangle, style, subdominant, submarine telegraphy,
     submediant, subtonic, suggestion, supertonic, sync, synchronize,
     tailor, telegraphics, telegraphy, teleprinter, teletypewriter,
     teletypewriting, telex, telltale, tenor, the Establishment, ticker,
     ticket, timbre, tin opener, tinct, tincture, tinge, tint, tip-off,
     tonality, tone, tonic, tonic key, tooter, trace, transcription,
     translation, transliteration, transmitter, trim to, trot, true,
     true up, tune, typotelegraph, typotelegraphy, umbilical,
     undercolor, valve, very important person, vestige, vital,
     wheeler-dealer, whiff, wind, wind instrument, wire service,
     wire-puller, zip up, zipper
  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  key
       
          1.  A value used to identify a {record} in a
          database, derived by applying some fixed function to the
          record.  The key is often simply one of the {fields} (a
          {column} if the database is considered as a table with records
          being rows, see "{key field}").  Alternatively the key may be
          obtained by applying some function, e.g. a {hash function}, to
          one or more of the fields.  The set of keys for all records
          forms an {index}.  Multiple indexes may be built for one
          database depending on how it is to be searched.
       
          2.  A value which must be fed into the
          {algorithm} used to decode an encrypted message in order to
          reproduce the original {plain text}.  Some encryption schemes
          use the same (secret) key to encrypt and decrypt a message,
          but {public key encryption} uses a "private" (secret) key and
          a "public" key which is known by all parties.
       
          3.  An electromechanical {keyboard} button.
       
          (2003-07-04)
       
       

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Key
     frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is called in Hebrew
     _maphteah_, i.e., the opener (Judg. 3:25); and in the Greek New
     Testament _kleis_, from its use in shutting (Matt. 16:19; Luke
     11:52; Rev. 1:18, etc.). Figures of ancient Egyptian keys are
     frequently found on the monuments, also of Assyrian locks and
     keys of wood, and of a large size (comp. Isa. 22:22).
     
       The word is used figuratively of power or authority or office
     (Isa. 22:22; Rev. 3:7; Rev. 1:8; comp. 9:1; 20:1; comp. also
     Matt. 16:19; 18:18). The "key of knowledge" (Luke 11:52; comp.
     Matt. 23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding
     the kingdom of God. The "power of the keys" is a phrase in
     general use to denote the extent of ecclesiastical authority.
     

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  KEY, estates. A wharf at which to land goods from, or to load them in a 
  vessel. This word is now generally spelled Quay, from the French, quai.