Dictionary.net

serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"

a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida

identify as in botany or biology, for example

a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed

pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"

something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"

a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word"

a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access; "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it"

a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"

(basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court; "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint"

a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"

regulate the musical pitch of

vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"

serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"

a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida

identify as in botany or biology, for example

a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed

pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"

something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"

a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word"

An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.

An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.

That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.

That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.

A piece of wood used as a wedge.

The last board of a floor when laid down.

A keystone.

That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.

A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.

A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.

A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.

Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.

A metallic lever by which the circuit of the sending or transmitting part of a station equipment may be easily and rapidly opened and closed; any device for closing or opening an electric circuit.

A simplified version or analysis which accompanies something as a clue to its explanation, a book or table containing the solutions to problems, ciphers, allegories, or the like, or a table or synopsis of conspicuous distinguishing characters of members of a taxonomic group.

A bar or key, in a typewriter or typesetting machine, used for spacing between letters.

An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; - called also key fruit.

An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.

An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.

That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.

That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.

A piece of wood used as a wedge.

The last board of a floor when laid down.

A keystone.

That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.

A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.

A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.

A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.

Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.

A metallic lever by which the circuit of the sending or transmitting part of a station equipment may be easily and rapidly opened and closed; any device for closing or opening an electric circuit.

A simplified version or analysis which accompanies something as a clue to its explanation, a book or table containing the solutions to problems, ciphers, allegories, or the like, or a table or synopsis of conspicuous distinguishing characters of members of a taxonomic group.

A bar or key, in a typewriter or typesetting machine, used for spacing between letters.

An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; - called also key fruit.

A metal instrument for turning a lock; an instrument by which something is turned, secured, or operated upon; that which allows or hinders entrance; as Liege was the key to Belgium; solution; as, the key to a riddle; an exact translation; a low small island; as, the Florida keys; a system of musical tones based on their relation to a note, called a keynote, from which the system is named; as, the key of G major; general pitch or tone of voice; as, men naturally speack in a lower key than women; a small lever, as an a piano, typewriter, etc., by which the instrument is made to act.

Go regulate the gone of.

An instrument for shutting or opening a lock: that by which something is screwed or turned: (arch.) the middle stone of an arch: a piece of wood let into another piece crosswise to prevent warping: (mus.) one of the small levers in musical instruments for producing notes: the fundamental note of a piece of music: that which explains a mystery: a book containing answers to exercises, etc.

Instrument to fasten and open a lock; clew to any mystery; small lever of a musical instrument; proper scale of a piece of music; reef of rocks.

An instrument for moving the bolt in a lock.

Anything that discloses or opens something; a lever to be pressed by the finger in a musical instrument or a typewriter.

A key note; quality, intensity, or pitch of tone in speaking.

A low island, as of coral.

A quay; wharf.

A wharf; pier; artificial landing-place.

Instrument for shutting or opening a lock; that or by which something is screwed or turned; the central stone of an arch which binds it; a little lever or piece in the fore part, by which the fingers play on an instrument; the fundamental note or tone, to which a piece of music is accommodated; that which serves to explain anything difficult to be understood; a solution; a translation; a ledge of wood let into the back of another across the grain, to prevent warping.

A ledge of rocks near the surface of the water. See Quay.

To fasten with a key. The power of the keys, the authority, assumed exclusively by the Pope, but exercised by the clergy of all churches, to grant or withhold church privilege and fellowship. The key of a position, a position the occupancy of which secures the possession of a district of country.

A well-known instr. for shutting and opening locks; that which explains or solves a difficulty; the small lever in a musical instr.-as in a pianoforte; the fundamental note in a piece of music.

A wharf, rather spelt quay-which see.

An instrument, used for extracting teeth. It consists of a firm handle, with a claw at right angles to it, and moving upon a pivot. This claw embraces the tooth. It has undergone several modifications, and hence various instruments are used under this denomination. The French have the Clef a pompe, Clef a pivot, and Clef a noix.

An appliance for locking or unlocking an apparatus (e. g., an extension splint).

An apparatus for making and breaking an electrical circuit.

A methodical and precise table of the principal divisions comprising a system of classification.

n. [Anglo-Saxon] An instrument which serves to shut or open a lock, by turning its bolt one way or the other ;- an instrument by which any thing is crewed and turned, as a watch-key, bed-key ; - a piece of wood let into another across the grain to prevent warping ; - the highest central stone of an arch ; the key-stone ; - a piece of wood or metal placed on coincident slots or mortises, to hold parts together ; a cotter ; - a lover of wood, or ivory, or metal, in an organ, pianoforte, &c., struck or presses by the fingers in playing the instrument ; - the fundamental tone of a movement ; key-note ; - the index or letters interpreting a cypher ; - hence, that which serves to explain any thing difficult or obscure ; solution ; - a book of answers to questions in arithmetical or other school books ; - a translation.