Word: key Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English keye, kaye, keiȝe, from Old English cǣġ (“key, solution, experiment”) (whence also Scots key and kay (“key”)), from Anglo-Frisian Proto-West Germanic *kaiju, of uncertain origin. The only sure cognates are Saterland Frisian Koai (“key”), West Frisian kaai (“key”), and North Frisian kai, koie (“key”). Possibly from Proto-Germanic *kēgaz, *kēguz (“stake, post, pole”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵogʰ-, *ǵegʰ-, *ǵegʰn- (“branch, stake, bush”), which would make it cognate with Middle Low German kāk (“whipping post, pillory”), and perhaps to Middle Dutch keige (“javelin, spear”) and Middle Low German keie, keige (“spear”). For the semantic development, note that medieval keys were simply long poles (ending in a hook) with which a crossbar obstructing a door from the inside could be removed from the outside, by lifting it through a hole in the door. Liberman has noted, however, "The original meaning of *kaig-jo- was presumably '*pin with a twisted end.' Words with the root *kai- followed by a consonant meaning 'crooked, bent; twisted' are common only in the North Germanic languages." Pronunciation: /kiː/, /ki/ 1. An object designed to open and close a lock or to activate or deactivate something, especially a length of metal inserted into a narrow opening on the lock to which it is matched (keyed). Labels: countable Example: This key is to the backdoor. Example: insert the key into the lock (formal); put the key in the lock (informal) 2. An object designed to open and close a lock or to activate or deactivate something, especially a length of metal inserted into a narrow opening on the lock to which it is matched (keyed). Labels: countable Example: My hotel room key is a card. Example: The gym will give you a fob that opens the door. 3. An object designed to open and close a lock or to activate or deactivate something, especially a length of metal inserted into a narrow opening on the lock to which it is matched (keyed). Labels: countable, figuratively 4. An object designed to open and close a lock or to activate or deactivate something, especially a length of metal inserted into a narrow opening on the lock to which it is matched (keyed). Labels: Internet, countable Example: if you know someone who is in the channel, you can query them and ask for the key. 5. An object designed to open and close a lock or to activate or deactivate something, especially a length of metal inserted into a narrow opening on the lock to which it is matched (keyed). Labels: countable Example: The exterminator will bring a key thingy that can open the bait boxes. Example: Safe-deposit boxes open with a special key. 6. An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation. 7. An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation. 8. An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation. 9. An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation. 10. An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation. 11. An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation. 12. A crucial step or requirement. Labels: figuratively Example: Persistence is the key to solving this problem. Example: The key to winning that game is your strategy at the beginning. 13. A crucial step or requirement. Labels: broadly, figuratively Example: The key to his proposal is that he thinks this company is dying and needs radical change. 14. A crucial step or requirement. Labels: figuratively Example: Her charm is the key to her success. 15. Senses relating to a guide that identifies information. Example: map key Example: The key says that A stands for the accounting department. 16. Senses relating to a guide that identifies information. Example: Some students cheated by using the key. 17. Senses relating to a guide that identifies information. 18. Senses relating to a guide that identifies information. 19. Senses relating to a guide that identifies information. 20. Senses relating to a set of features that modify the output of a device. Example: Press the Escape key. Example: A key; B key, etc. 21. Senses relating to a set of features that modify the output of a device. Example: piano key 22. Senses relating to a set of features that modify the output of a device. 23. A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition. Example: the key of B-flat major Example: A girl, it is true, has always lived in a glass house among reproving relatives, whose word was law; she has been bred up to sacrifice her judgments and take the key submissively from dear papa; and it is wonderful how swiftly she can change her tune into the husband's. 24. A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition. 25. A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition. 26. A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition. 27. A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition. 28. A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition. Labels: figuratively Example: 2. Queen.[…]Deere Glasse of Ladies Bid him that we whom flaming war doth scortch, Vnder the shaddow of his Sword, may coole us: Require him he advance it ore our heades; Speak't in a womans key: like such a woman As any of us three; weepe ere you faile; lend us a knee; But touch the ground for us no longer time Then a Doves motion, when the head's pluckt off: Tell him if he i'th blood cizd field, lay swolne Showing the Sun his Teeth; grinning at the Moone What you would doe. Example: ?, William Cowper, Conversation You fall at once into a lower key. 29. A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition. Labels: broadly, figuratively 30. Senses of items with visual similarity to a key or group of keys on a keyring. 31. Senses of items with visual similarity to a key or group of keys on a keyring. 32. Senses of items with visual similarity to a key or group of keys on a keyring. Example: He shoots from the top of the key. 33. Senses of items with visual similarity to a key or group of keys on a keyring. 34. Senses related to colors. 35. Senses related to colors. 36. Senses related to colors. Example: You can easily create this type of user interface by creating a bitmap with certain portions set to a predefined color you want to use as the transparency key. Example: There are key controls that adjust the “slice level” or the level at which the key kicks-in and starts cutting a hole for the “fill” […] Chroma key is another form of keying, which derives the key cutter or hole from a selected color. 37. A manual electrical switching device primarily used for the transmission of Morse code. Labels: historical 38. The degree of roughness, or the ability of a surface to retain an applied liquid, such as paint or glue. Example: The door panel should be sanded down carefully to provide a good key for the new paint.