Keys definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

View all »
Definitions (131)

American Heritage Dictionary (35)

noun A notched and grooved, usually metal implement that is turned to open or close a lock.
noun A similar device used for opening or winding: the key of a clock; a can that has a key attached.
noun A means of access, control, or possession.

32 more from this dictionary »

Century Dictionary (72)

An instrument for fastening or opening a lock, fitted to its wards, and adapted, on being inserted and turned or pushed in the keyhole, to push a bolt one way or the other, or to raise a catch or latch; in certain complicated locks, a portable appliance which on being inserted in the proper place in the lock lifts tumblers or in some other way allows the bolt to be shot without itself exercising force upon it. The(y) locked the dore and than went theyr way. Cayphas and Anna of that kept the kay. Joseph of Arimathie (E. E. T. S.), p. 38. She took the little ivory chest, With half a sigh she turn'd the key. Tennyson, The Letters.
Hence Something regarded as analogous to a key, in being a means of opening or making clear what is closed or obscure; especially, that by means of which (often by means of which alone) some difficulty can be overcome, some obstacle removed, some end attained, something unintelligible explained, etc: as, the key to knowledge; Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean; a key to the solution of an algebraic problem; a key to an algebra or arithmetic (a book giving the solution of mathematical problems proposed as exercises in such text-books); the key to a cipher. Thou art Peter…. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Mat. xvi. 18, 19. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge. Luke xi. 52. These counties were the keys of Normandy. Shak., 2 Hen. VI., i. 1, 114. To learn thy secrets, get into my power The key of strength and safety. Milton, S. A., l. 799. “Stæfcræft is seó cǣg the thǣra bōca andgit unly¯cth [AS.], grammar is the key that unlocks the sense of the books. F. A. March, Anglo-Sax. Gram., p. 140. The key to all the enigmas, all the imputed guilt, all the peculiar usefulness to his country of Peel's career, is to be sought in the original contrast between his character and his position. W. R. Grey, Misc. Essays, 2d ser., p. 206.
In mech.: A hand-tool for controlling a valve, moving a nut, etc., which is independent of the part to be moved. In this sense a spanner, wrenc'h, bedstead-wrench, etc., are keys.

69 more from this dictionary »

GNU Webster's 1913 (3)

WordNet (21)

Elsewhere on the web

View all »
Examples (47)

Smaller portrait with no arrows - the keys are the same size as in original layout. — MoDaCo WinMo News
I think the keys are the right size for comfortable editing. — MacResearch - Online Community and Resource for Mac OS X in Science
We'd say the keys are a little bit light and shallow for our taste, but good as far as most — Megite Technology News: What's Happening Right Now
People fail before they succeed sometimes for the same reason your keys are always in the last place you look. — Original Signal - The best of Web 2.0
Losing your keys could be a thing of the past, if we know where a product is at all times. — EUobserver.com - Headline News

More examples »

keys

View all »
Definitions (131)

American Heritage Dictionary (35)

Century Dictionary (72)

GNU Webster's 1913 (3)

WordNet (21)

Elsewhere on the web

View all »
Examples (47)

Tags

Stats

stop updating
On Twitter

Photos from

Add a related word »
Related

Word Family

Etymologies (0)

Pronunciations
Record your own »

Charts

Recently looked up

Recent Favorites

Recent Pronunciations

keys

View all » Definitions (131)

American Heritage Dictionary (35)

Century Dictionary (72)

GNU Webster's 1913 (3)

WordNet (21)

Elsewhere on the web

View all » Examples (47)

Tags

Stats

stop updating On Twitter

Photos from

Add a related word » Related

Word Family

Etymologies (0)

Pronunciations Record your own »

Charts

Recently looked up

Recent Favorites

Recent Pronunciations

View all »
Definitions (131)

View all »
Examples (47)

stop updating
On Twitter

Add a related word »
Related

Pronunciations
Record your own »