Turnkey

5 definitions found

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

  Turnkey \Turn"key`\ (t[^u]rn"k[=e]`), n.; pl. {Turnkeys}
     (t[^u]r"k[=e]z`).
     1. A person who has charge of the keys of a prison, for
        opening and fastening the doors; a warder.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. (Dentistry) An instrument with a hinged claw, -- used for
        extracting teeth with a twist.
        [1913 Webster]

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

  turnkey \turn"key`\ (t[^u]rn"k[=e]`), a.
     Of or pertaining to a building, complex device, system, or
     industrial installation which is sold by a contractor only
     after it is ready for immediate occupation or use; fully
     functional and ready for use; -- used of complex systems of a
     type which often require preparation or installation by the
     user before being capable of functioning as intended; as, a
     turnkey ethylene production plant; a turnkey apartment
     building.
     [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  turnkey
       n : someone who guards prisoners [syn: {prison guard}, {jailer},
            {jailor}, {gaoler}, {screw}]

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

  turn-key
       
           A term which describes a system
          (hardware and software) which can be used for a specific
          application without requiring further programming or software
          installation.  The user can just "turn the key" (switch it on)
          and use it.
       
          (1995-02-06)
       
       

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

  TURNKEY. A person under the superintendence of a jailor, whose employment is 
  to open and fasten the prison doors and to prevent the prisoners from 
  escaping. 
       2. It is his duty to use due diligence, and he may be punished for 
  gross neglect or willful misconduct in permitting prisoners to escape.