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1. Dictionary

   key

   /kiː/

   noun

   • 1. a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it: "there were two keys to the cupboard"
   • ▪ a shaped metal implement for operating a switch in the form of a lock, especially one operating the ignition of a motor vehicle: "Nat turned the key in the ignition"
   • ▪ an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut, especially one for winding a clock or turning a valve.
   • ▪ a pin, bolt, or wedge inserted into a hole or between parts so as to lock the parts together.
   • 2. each of several buttons on a panel for operating a computer, typewriter, or telephone: "press the ENTER key"
   • ▪ a lever depressed by the finger in playing an instrument such as the organ, piano, flute, or concertina: "a piece composed solely for the white keys on the piano"
   • ▪ a lever operating a mechanical device for making or breaking an electric circuit, for example in telegraphy.
   • 3. a thing that provides a means of achieving or understanding something: "discipline seems to be the key to her success" Similar answercluesolutionexplanationpointercueleadbasis offoundation forrequisite forconditionpreconditionessentialmeanswayroutepathpassportsecretformulaguideglossglossaryinterpretationexplicationtranslationclarificationexpositionannotationindexlegendcode
   • ▪ an explanatory list of symbols used in a map, table, etc.
   • ▪ a set of answers to exercises or problems: "a key at the back of the book provides the answers"
   • ▪ a word or system for solving a cipher or code: "it took him some time to find the key, the connection between the code and the Odyssey"
   • ▪ the first move in the solution of a chess problem.
   • ▪ a field in a record which is used to identify that record uniquely.
   • 4. a group of notes based on a particular note and comprising a scale, regarded as forming the tonal basis of a piece of music: "the key of E minor" Similar tonepitchtimbretonalitytone colourmodulation
   • ▪ the tone or pitch of someone's voice: "his voice had changed to a lower key"
   • ▪ the prevailing tone of a piece of writing, situation, etc.: "it was like the sixties all over again, in a new, more austerely intellectual key" Similar stylecharactermoodveinspiritfeelfeelingflavourqualityhumouratmosphere
   • ▪ the prevailing range of tones in a painting: "these mauves, lime greens, and saffron yellows recall the high key of El Greco's palette"
   • 5. the dry winged fruit of an ash, maple, or sycamore, typically growing in bunches; a samara.
   • 6. the part of a first coat of wall plaster that passes between the laths and so secures the rest.
   • ▪ the roughness of a surface, helping the adhesion of plaster or other material.
   • 7. the keyhole-shaped area marked on the court near each basket: "he hit another jumper from the top of the key"

   adjective

   • 1. of crucial importance: "she became a key figure in the suffragette movement"

   verb

   • 1. enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard or telephone keypad: "not everyone can key data quickly and accurately"
   • 2. fasten (something) in position with a pin, wedge, or bolt: "the coils may be keyed into the slots by fibre wedges"
   • 3. roughen (a surface) to help the adhesion of plaster or other material: "a wooden float with nails driven through it is used to key the wall surface between coats"
   • 4. word (an advertisement in a periodical), typically by varying the form of the address given, so as to identify the publication generating particular responses: "one keys advertisements and measures returns"
   • 5. vandalize (a car) by scraping its paint with a key. informal
   • 6. be the crucial factor in achieving: informal North American "Ewing keyed a 73–35 advantage on the boards with twenty rebounds"

   Word Origin Old Englishcǣg, cǣge, of unknown origin.

   Derivatives

   • 1. keyer noun
   • 2. keyless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • K

     5

   • E

     1

   • Y

     4

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishKEY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meanings and uses of the word key in different contexts, such as lock, computer, music, symbols, and more. Find synonyms, idioms, and related words for key in English.

   • Znaczenie Key, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary

     key definicja: 1. a piece of metal that has been cut into a...

   • Keycard

     KEYCARD definition: 1. a small, plastic electronic card that...

   • Keyhole

     KEYHOLE definition: 1. a hole in a lock that you put a key...

   • Key Account Manager

     KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER definition: a person in a company whose...

   • Key: Italian Translation

     KEY translate: chiave, chiave, tasto, tasto, chiave,...

   • Key: Indonesian Translation

     KEY translate: kunci, tuts, tuts, nada, kunci, legenda,...

   • Key Derivation Function

     Examples of how to use “key derivation function” in a...

   • Key: Catalan Translation

     key translate: clau, clau, tecla, tecla, to, clau, teclejar,...

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › keyKey Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › key

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word key as a noun, adjective, and verb. Find synonyms, examples, etymology, and more in this comprehensive dictionary entry.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › keyKEY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   The main or central note of a piece of music (or part of a piece of music). Each key has its own scale, beginning and ending on the note that defines the octave of the next scale. The key of C-major uses a scale that starts on C and uses only the white keys of the piano.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishKEY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word key, from a metal device that opens locks to a musical scale or a computer button. Find synonyms, pronunciation, examples, and related terms for key.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishkey noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes |...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and examples of the word key as a noun in English. Find out the different types and functions of keys in various contexts, such as locks, computers, music and maps.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › keyKey - definition of key by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › key

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word key in different contexts, such as lock, music, computer, and biology. Find synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and examples of key in sentences.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › keyKey - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › key

   A key is a piece of metal that fits inside a lock and turns to open it. You might have a key ring with a house key, a car key, and maybe several more keys.