 key |
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| 1. | [ noun ] metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated | |
| Related terms: | device ignition_key latchkey passkey shank | |
| 2. | [ adjective ] serving as an essential component | |
| Synonyms: | central fundamental cardinal primal | |
| Examples: | "a cardinal rule" "the central cause of the problem" "an example that was fundamental to the argument" "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure" |
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| Related terms: | important | |
| 3. | [ noun ] (psychology) something crucial for explaining | |
| Examples: | "the key to development is economic integration" |
|
| Related terms: | explanation | |
| 4. | [ noun ] (music) pitch of the voice | |
| Examples: | "he spoke in a low key" |
|
| Related terms: | pitch | |
| 5. | [ verb ] as in botany or biology, for example | |
| Synonyms: | identify describe name distinguish key_out discover | |
| Related terms: | name identity classify | |
| 6. | [ noun ] (music) any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music | |
| Synonyms: | tonality | |
| Related terms: | atonality musical_notation home_key minor_key major_key | |
| 7. | [ adjective ] effective; producing a desired effect | |
| Synonyms: | operative | |
| Examples: | "the operative word" |
|
| Related terms: | significant | |
| 8. | [ noun ] (architecture) the central building block at the top of an arch or vault | |
| Synonyms: | headstone keystone | |
| Related terms: | building_block quoin arch | |
| 9. | [ noun ] one thousand grams; the basic unit of mass adopted under the System International d'Unites | |
| Synonyms: | kg kilo kilogram | |
| Examples: | "a kilogram is approximately 2.2 pounds" "they were carrying two keys of heroin" |
|
| Related terms: | metric_weight_unit myriagram hectogram | |
| 10. | [ noun ] a list of answers to a test | |
| Examples: | "some students had stolen the key to the final exam" |
|
| Related terms: | list | |
| 11. | [ verb ] (music) regulate the musical pitch of | |
| Related terms: | harmonize harmonize music | |
| 12. | [ verb ] (music) harmonize with or adjust to | |
| Examples: | "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude" |
|
| Related terms: | harmonize | |
| 13. | [ noun ] (geography) a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida | |
| Synonyms: | Florida_keys cay | |
| Related terms: | coral_reef Florida | |
| 14. | [ noun ] Last name, frequency rank in the U.S. is 796 | |
| 15. | [ verb ] vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key | |
| Examples: | "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot" |
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| Related terms: | vandalize | |
| 16. | [ noun ] (law,verse,work,writing) United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812; the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner' (1779-1843) | |
| Synonyms: | francis_scott_key | |
| Related terms: | lawyer poet | |
| 17. | [ noun ] a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations | |
| Related terms: | list key_word | |
| 18. | [ noun ] a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access | |
| Examples: | "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it" |
|
| Related terms: | positive_identification | |
| 19. | [ verb ] provide with a key | |
| Examples: | "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building" |
|
| Related terms: | supply | |
| 20. | [ noun ] (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 | |
| Synonyms: | paint | |
| Examples: | "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key" "he dominates play in the paint" |
|
| Related terms: | space basketball_court foul_line basketball | |
| 21. | [ noun ] (botany) a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple | |
| Synonyms: | key_fruit samara | |
| Related terms: | achene | |
| 22. | [ noun ] a kilogram of a narcotic drug | |
| Examples: | "they were carrying two keys of heroin" |
|
| Related terms: | kilogram cant | |
| 23. | [ noun ] mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) | |
| Synonyms: | winder | |
| Related terms: | mechanical_device watch_key wind | |
| 24. | [ noun ] (computer science) a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed | |
| Related terms: | lever telegraph_key backspace_key control_key return_key space_bar tab_key keyboard action | |
| Similar spelling: |
Keo Kee kea Kehoe k |
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