/kee"noht'/ , n. , v. , keynoted, keynoting .
n.
1. Music. the note or tone on which a key or system of tones is founded; the tonic.
2. the main idea or central principle of a speech, program, thought, action, etc.
3. the policy line to be followed, as by a party in a political campaign, that is set forth authoritatively in advance by an address or other formal announcement.
4. See keynote address .
v.t.
5. to announce the policy of (a political party, campaign, assembly, etc.); deliver a keynote address at: The governor will keynote the convention.
6. to serve as the keynote for.
7. Music. to give the keynote of.
v.i.
8. to provide a keynote, esp. a keynote address: He refused an invitation to keynote.
[ 1755-65; KEY 1 + NOTE ]