n.
Pronunciation: ' k ē , ' k ā , ' kw ā
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of earlier key, from Middle English, from Middle French dialect (Picard) kay, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Breton kae hedge, enclosure; akin to Old English hecg hedge
Date: circa 1635
: a structure built parallel to the bank of a waterway for use as a landing place