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[kee] /ki/

noun
1.
Francis Scott, 1780–1843, U.S. lawyer: author of The Star-Spangled Banner.
/kiː/
noun
1.
a metal instrument, usually of a specifically contoured shape, that is made to fit a lock and, when rotated, operates the lock’s mechanism
2.
any instrument that is rotated to operate a valve, clock winding mechanism, etc
3.
a small metal peg or wedge inserted into keyways
4.
any of a set of levers operating a typewriter, computer, etc
5.
any of the visible parts of the lever mechanism of a musical keyboard instrument that when depressed set in motion the action that causes the instrument to sound
6.

7.
something that is crucial in providing an explanation or interpretation: the key to adult behaviour lies in childhood
8.
a means of achieving a desired end: the key to happiness
9.
a means of access or control: Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean
10.
a list of explanations of symbols, codes, etc
11.
a text that explains or gives information about a work of literature, art, or music
12.
Also called key move. the correct initial move in the solution of a set problem
13.
(biology) a systematic list of taxonomic characteristics, used to identify animals or plants
14.
(photog, painting) the dominant tonal value and colour intensity of a picture See also low-key (sense 3), high-key
15.
(electrical engineering)

16.
the grooving or scratching of a surface or the application of a rough coat of plaster, etc, to provide a bond for a subsequent finish
17.
pitch: he spoke in a low key
18.
a characteristic mood or style: a poem in a melancholic key
19.
level of intensity: she worked herself up to a high key
20.
(railways) a wooden wedge placed between a rail and a chair to keep the rail firmly in place
21.
a wedge for tightening a joint or for splitting stone or timber
22.
short for keystone (sense 1)
23.
(botany) any dry winged fruit, esp that of the ash
24.
(modifier) (photog) determining the tonal value of a photograph: flesh colour is an important key tone
adjective
25.
of great importance; crucial: a key issue
verb (mainly transitive)
26.
(foll by to) to harmonize (with): to key one’s actions to the prevailing mood
27.
to adjust or fasten with a key or some similar device
28.
to provide with a key or keys
29.
to scratch the paintwork of (a car) with a key
30.
(often foll by up) to locate the position of (a piece of copy, artwork, etc) on a layout by the use of symbols
31.
(also intransitive) another word for keyboard (sense 3)
32.
to include a distinguishing device in (an advertisement, etc), so that responses to it can be identified
33.
to provide a keystone for (an arch)
/kiː/
noun
1.
a variant spelling of cay
/kiː/
noun
1.
John (Phillip). born 1961, New Zealand politician; prime minister from 2008
n.

“metal piece that works a lock,” from Old English cæg “key,” of unknown origin, with no certain cognates other than Old Frisian kei. Perhaps related to Middle Low German keie “lance, spear” on notion of “tool to cleave with,” from Proto-Germanic *ki- “to cleaver, split” (cf. German Keil “wedge,” Gothic us-kijans “come forth,” said of seed sprouts, keinan “to germinate”). But Liberman writes, “The original meaning of *kaig-jo- was presumably ‘*pin with a twisted end.’ Words with the root *kai- followed by a consonant meaning ‘crooked, bent; twisted’ are common only in the North Germanic languages.” Modern pronunciation is a northern variant predominating from c.1700; earlier it was often spelled and pronounced kay.

Figurative sense of “that which serves to open or explain” was in Old English; meaning “that which holds together other parts” is from 1520s. As “answer to a test,” it is from chess, short for key move, “first move in a solution to a set problem.” Musical sense of “tone, note” is 15c., but modern sense of “scale” is 1580s, probably as a translation of Latin clavis or French clef (see clef; also cf. keynote). Extended c.1500 to “mechanism on a musical instrument.” As a verb meaning “to scratch (a car’s paint job) with a key” it is recorded by 1986.

“low island,” 1690s, from Spanish cayo “shoal, reef,” from Taino cayo “small island;” spelling influenced by Middle English key “wharf” (c.1300), from Old French kai “sand bank” (see quay).
key
(kē)
See cay.

The main or central note of a piece of music (or part of a piece of music). Each key has its own scale, beginning and ending on the note that defines the octave of the next scale. The key of C-major uses a scale that starts on C and uses only the white keys of the piano. In a piece composed in the key of C, the music is likely to end on the note C, and certain combinations of notes based on C will predominate.

adjective

noun

verb

To vandalize a car by scratching it with a key: Well, did you key her car? (1980s+)

Related Terms

church key

noun

A kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of a narcotic: enough opium to produce a key (kilo) of heroin/ Anybody who can handle a key of pure coke is dealing big

[Narcotics; fr kilo]
function key

frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is called in Hebrew _maphteah_, i.e., the opener (Judg. 3:25); and in the Greek New Testament _kleis_, from its use in shutting (Matt. 16:19; Luke 11:52; Rev. 1:18, etc.). Figures of ancient Egyptian keys are frequently found on the monuments, also of Assyrian locks and keys of wood, and of a large size (comp. Isa. 22:22). The word is used figuratively of power or authority or office (Isa. 22:22; Rev. 3:7; Rev. 1:8; comp. 9:1; 20:1; comp. also Matt. 16:19; 18:18). The “key of knowledge” (Luke 11:52; comp. Matt. 23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of God. The “power of the keys” is a phrase in general use to denote the extent of ecclesiastical authority.

In addition to the idiom beginning with
key