Search results for 'key¹':

key¹ noun (keys) 1 a device for opening or closing a lock, or for winding up, turning, tuning, tightening or loosening. 2 one of a series of buttons or levers pressed to sound the notes on a musical instrument, or to print or display a character on a computer, typewriter, calculator, etc. 3 a system of musical notes related to one another in a scale. 4 pitch, tone or style • spoke in a low key. 5 something that provides an answer or solution. 6 a means of achievement • the key to success. 7 a set of answers, eg at the back of a book of puzzles, exercises, etc. 8 a table explaining signs and symbols used on a map, etc. 9 elec a lever-like switch that makes or breaks a circuit for as long as the handle is depressed. 10 the dry winged fruit of certain trees, eg ash, sycamore and maple, often hanging with others in a cluster like a bunch of keys. 11 the relative roughness of a surface, especially with regard to its ability to take paint, etc, more readily. 12 a fret pattern. 13 a pin or wedge for fixing something. 14 biol a taxonomic system for distinguishing similar species. adj centrally important • key questions. verb (keyed, keying) 1 (also key something in) to enter (data) into a computer, calculator, etc by means of a keyboard; to keyboard. 2 to lock or fasten something with a key. 3 to provide with a key or keys. 4 tr & intr to roughen (a surface) eg for decorating, plastering, etc. 5 tr & intr to give an advertisement a feature so that replies to it may be identified, eg a reference code added to the address. 6 printing to mark the position on the layout of something to be printed, using symbols. keyed adj 1 equipped with a key or keys. 2 music set to a particular key. 3 in a state of tension or readiness. keyless adj. keyed up colloq excited; tense; anxious. under lock and key 1 safely stored. 2 in prison.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon cæg.

key¹ noun (keys) 1 a device for opening or closing a lock, or for winding up, turning, tuning, tightening or loosening. 2 one of a series of buttons or levers pressed to sound the notes on a musical instrument, or to print or display a character on a computer, typewriter, calculator, etc. 3 a system of musical notes related to one another in a scale. 4 pitch, tone or style • spoke in a low key. 5 something that provides an answer or solution. 6 a means of achievement • the key to success. 7 a set of answers, eg at the back of a book of puzzles, exercises, etc. 8 a table explaining signs and symbols used on a map, etc. 9 elec a lever-like switch that makes or breaks a circuit for as long as the handle is depressed. 10 the dry winged fruit of certain trees, eg ash, sycamore and maple, often hanging with others in a cluster like a bunch of keys. 11 the relative roughness of a surface, especially with regard to its ability to take paint, etc, more readily. 12 a fret pattern. 13 a pin or wedge for fixing something. 14 biol a taxonomic system for distinguishing similar species. adj centrally important • key questions. verb (keyed, keying) 1 (also key something in) to enter (data) into a computer, calculator, etc by means of a keyboard; to keyboard. 2 to lock or fasten something with a key. 3 to provide with a key or keys. 4 tr & intr to roughen (a surface) eg for decorating, plastering, etc. 5 tr & intr to give an advertisement a feature so that replies to it may be identified, eg a reference code added to the address. 6 printing to mark the position on the layout of something to be printed, using symbols. keyed adj 1 equipped with a key or keys. 2 music set to a particular key. 3 in a state of tension or readiness. keyless adj. keyed up colloq excited; tense; anxious. under lock and key 1 safely stored. 2 in prison.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon cæg.

key¹ noun (keys) 1 a device for opening or closing a lock, or for winding up, turning, tuning, tightening or loosening. 2 one of a series of buttons or levers pressed to sound the notes on a musical instrument, or to print or display a character on a computer, typewriter, calculator, etc. 3 a system of musical notes related to one another in a scale. 4 pitch, tone or style • spoke in a low key. 5 something that provides an answer or solution. 6 a means of achievement • the key to success. 7 a set of answers, eg at the back of a book of puzzles, exercises, etc. 8 a table explaining signs and symbols used on a map, etc. 9 elec a lever-like switch that makes or breaks a circuit for as long as the handle is depressed. 10 the dry winged fruit of certain trees, eg ash, sycamore and maple, often hanging with others in a cluster like a bunch of keys. 11 the relative roughness of a surface, especially with regard to its ability to take paint, etc, more readily. 12 a fret pattern. 13 a pin or wedge for fixing something. 14 biol a taxonomic system for distinguishing similar species. adj centrally important • key questions. verb (keyed, keying) 1 (also key something in) to enter (data) into a computer, calculator, etc by means of a keyboard; to keyboard. 2 to lock or fasten something with a key. 3 to provide with a key or keys. 4 tr & intr to roughen (a surface) eg for decorating, plastering, etc. 5 tr & intr to give an advertisement a feature so that replies to it may be identified, eg a reference code added to the address. 6 printing to mark the position on the layout of something to be printed, using symbols. keyed adj 1 equipped with a key or keys. 2 music set to a particular key. 3 in a state of tension or readiness. keyless adj. keyed up colloq excited; tense; anxious. under lock and key 1 safely stored. 2 in prison.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon cæg.