n.
Pronunciation: ' k ē
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English c ǣ g; akin to Old Frisian k ē i key
Date: before 12th century
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 \ ' k ē d \ adjective
– key · less \ ' k ē -l ə s \ adjective