key

key: {{11}}key (n.¹) "metal piece that works a lock," from O.E. cæg "key," of unknown origin, with no certain cognates other than O.Fris. kei. Perhaps related to M.L.G. keie "lance, spear" on notion of "tool to cleave with," from P.Gmc. *ki- "to cleaver, split" (Cf. Ger. Keil "wedge," Goth. 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 O.E.; 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 L. clavis or Fr. clef (see CLEF (Cf. clef); also Cf. KEYNOTE (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.

{{12}}key (n.²) "low island," 1690s, from Sp. cayo "shoal, reef," from Taino cayo "small island;" spelling influenced by M.E. key "wharf" (c.1300), from O.Fr. kai "sand bank" (see QUAY (Cf. quay)).

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Synonyms:

Lock opener / Clew, guide, explanation, solution, elucidation, clavis / Tonic, key-note, fundamental note, first note of the scale / Wedge, clamp / Lever (in an instrument)

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Key — (k[=e]), n. [OE. keye, key, kay, AS. c[ae]g.] 1. 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. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
KEY — ist das englische Wort für Schlüssel, und damit Bestandteil von Anglizismen: Key Account Key Account Manager etc. Key steht im Sinne von Cay für eine kleine flache Insel: insbesondere die Florida Keys, Inselkette im US Bundesstaat Florida, USA:… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Key — may refer to: Building* Key, Carpentry: timber or metal wedges used across or between two or more members to act as a tightening agent. * Key, Painting: to rough the surface of previous coats of paint to allow a secure bond for the next or top… … Wikipedia
Key — ist das englische Wort für Schlüssel, und damit Bestandteil von Anglizismen: Key Account Key Account Manager etc. Key steht im Sinne von Cay für eine kleine flache Insel: insbesondere die Florida Keys, Inselkette im US Bundesstaat Florida, USA:… … Deutsch Wikipedia
KeY — is a formal software development tool that aims to integrate design, implementation, formal specification, and formal verification of object oriented software. It supports programs written in Java (more precisely: in a superset of Java Card) and… … Wikipedia
Key — Key, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Keved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Keying}.] 1. To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges. Francis. [1913 Webster] 2. (Computers) To enter (text, data) using keys, especially those on a keyboard; to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
key — key, a. Essential; most important; as, the key fact in the inquiry; the president was the key player inthe negotiations. [PJC] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
KEY — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Key, clef en anglais, peut faire référence à : Key, une société publiant des Eroge, Keys peut faire référence à : Les Keys, un archipel en… … Wikipédia en Français
Key [1] — Key 1)Großer K., Fluß im südöstlichen Afrika, bildet die nördliche Grenze von Britisch Kaffraria gegen das unabhängige Kaffernland u. entsteht aus dem Schwarzen u. Weißen K., welche theilweise von den Strombergen, theilweise von dem Nordabhange… … Pierer's Universal-Lexikon
Key [2] — Key, deutscher Vorname, so v.w. Cajus … Pierer's Universal-Lexikon
Key [3] — Key (Cajus), John, geb. 1510 in Norwich, studirte in Cambridge, Italien, Frankreich u. Deutschland Medicin, einer der gelehrtesten Ärzte seiner Zeit, war Leibarzt des Königs Eduard VI. u. der Königinnen Maria u. Elisabeth u. st. 1573 in London;… … Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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