key

¹key

noun \ˈkē\

Definition of KEY

1

a : a usually metal instrument by which the bolt of a lock is turned b : any of various devices having the form or function of such a key

2

a : a means of gaining or preventing entrance, possession, or control b : an instrumental or deciding factor

3

a : something that gives an explanation or identification or provides a solution <the key to a riddle> b : a list of words or phrases giving an explanation of symbols or abbreviations c : an aid to interpretation or identification : clue d : an arrangement of the salient characters of a group of plants or animals or of taxa designed to facilitate identification e : a map legend

4

a (1) : cotter pin (2) : cotter b : a keystone in an arch c : a small piece of wood or metal used as a wedge or for preventing motion between parts

5

a : one of the levers of a keyboard musical instrument that actuates the mechanism and produces the tones b : a lever that controls a vent in the side of a woodwind instrument or a valve in a brass instrument c : a part to be depressed by a finger that serves as one unit of a keyboard

6

: samara

7

: a system of tones and harmonies generated from a hierarchical scale of seven tones based on a tonic <the key of G major>

8

a : characteristic style or tone b : the tone or pitch of a voice c : the predominant tone of a photograph with respect to its lightness or darkness

9

: a decoration or charm resembling a key

10

: a small switch for opening or closing an electric circuit <a telegraph key>

11

: the set of instructions governing the encipherment and decipherment of messages

12

: a free-throw area in basketball

— keyed \ˈkēd\ adjective

— key·less \ˈkē-ləs\ adjective

Origin of KEY

Middle English, from Old English cǣg; akin to OldFrisian kēi key

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Cartography Terms

Robinson projection, benchmark, plat, projection, topography

Rhymes with KEY

b, be, bee, c, cay, cee, Cree, d, dee, Dee, dree, e, fee, flea, flee, free, g, gee, ghee, glee, gree, he, Key, knee, lea, lee, me, mi, p, pea, pee, plea, pree, quay, re, Rhee, scree, sea, see, she, si, ski, spree, sri, t, tea, tee, the, thee, three, ti, tree, twee, Twi, v, vee, we, wee, whee, ye, z, zee