Key — synonyms, definition

1. key (a)

basal basic bottom cardinal central chief crucial determining dominant elementary essential fundamental indispensable necessary obligatory organic overriding predominant primary principal • • •

2. key (Noun)

Florida key Francis Scott Key access admission answer beacon catalogue cay clue code combination definition discovery entrance entry explanation find gamut gradation guide • • •

key (Noun) — 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).

key (Noun) — Metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated.

key (Noun) — One of several labelled buttons on a typewriter, computer keyboard, or keypad, used to enter a particular character or invoke a particular function.

key (Noun) — Something crucial for explaining. ex. "the key to development is economic integration"

key (Noun) — Pitch of the voice. ex. "he spoke in a low key"

key (Noun) — Any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music.

key (Noun) — A kilogram of a narcotic drug. ex. "they were carrying two keys of heroin"

key (Noun) — A winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash, elm or maple.

key (Noun) — A coral reef off the southern coast of Florida.

key (Noun) — (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different colour from the rest of the court. ex. "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"

key (Noun) — A list of answers to a test. ex. "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"

key (Noun) — A list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations.

key (Noun) — A generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access. ex. "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it"

key (Noun) — Mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock).

key (Noun) — The central building block at the top of an arch or vault.

achene attorney building block coral reef device explanation kg kilo kilogram kilogramme lawyer lever list listing mechanical device musical notation pitch poet positive identification space backspace backspace key backspacer coign coigne command key control key enter enter key home key ignition key key word latchkey major key major mode master master key minor key minor mode passe-partout • • • bit foul line shank stem Everglade State FL Florida Sunshine State action action mechanism arch basketball court keyboard

3. key (Adjective)

primal

key (Adjective) — Serving as an essential component. ex. "a key rule"

4. key (Verb)

describe discover distinguish identify key out name

key (Verb) — Classify or apply the appropriate name to, e.g. in botany or biology.

key (Verb) — Provide with a key. ex. "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"

key (Verb) — Vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key. ex. "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"

key (Verb) — (music) regulate the musical pitch of.

key (Verb) — Harmonize with or adjust to. ex. "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

chord furnish harmonise harmonize provide reconcile render supply vandalise vandalize