key : Idioms & Phrases

Index

ash-key

  • noun winged seed of the ash tree
WordNet

Attendant keys

  • (Mus.), the keys or scales most nearly related to, or having most in common with, the principal key; those, namely, of its fifth above, or dominant, its fifth below (fourth above), or subdominant, and its relative minor or major.
Webster 1913

backspace key

  • noun the typewriter key used for back spacing
    backspace; backspacer.
WordNet

church key

  • noun can opener that has a triangular pointed end that pierces the tops of cans
WordNet

Cipher key

  • a key to assist in reading writings in cipher.
Webster 1913

command key

  • noun (computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control characters
    command key.
WordNet

control key

  • noun (computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control characters
    command key.
WordNet

False key

  • a picklock.
Webster 1913

florida key

  • noun a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
    cay; key.
WordNet

Foot key

  • (Mus.), an organ pedal.
Webster 1913

francis scott 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.
WordNet

francis scott key fitzgerald

  • noun United States author whose novels characterized the Jazz Age in the United States (1896-1940)
    Fitzgerald; F. Scott Fitzgerald.
WordNet

Gib and key, ∨ Gib and cotter

  • (Steam Engine), the fixed wedge or gib, and the driving wedge,key, or cotter, used for tightening the strap which holds the brasses at the end of a connecting rod.
Webster 1913

greek key

  • noun an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief)
    Greek key; Greek fret; fret.
    • there was a simple fret at the top of the walls
WordNet

high-keyed

  • adjective satellite (of persons) excitable
WordNet

home key

  • noun the basic key in which a piece of music is written
    home key.
WordNet

ignition key

  • noun a key that operates the ignition switch of an automotive engine
WordNet

Key bed

  • . Same as Key seat.
Webster 1913

Key bolt

  • a bolt which has a mortise near the end, and is secured by a cotter or wedge instead of a nut.
Webster 1913

Key bugle

  • . See Kent bugle.
Webster 1913

key fruit

  • noun a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
    key; samara.
WordNet

key lime

  • noun small yellow-green limes of southern Florida
WordNet

Key of a position ∨ country.

  • (Mil.) See Key, 4.
Webster 1913

key out

  • verb identify as in botany or biology, for example
    name; describe; discover; identify; key; distinguish.
WordNet

key palm

  • noun small stocky fan palm of southern Florida and Cuba
    Thrinax keyensis; Thrinax microcarpa; silvertop palmetto; Thrinax morrisii; silver thatch.
WordNet

key pattern

  • noun an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief)
    Greek key; Greek fret; fret.
    • there was a simple fret at the top of the walls
WordNet

key ring

  • noun a circular ring of metal for holding keys
WordNet

Key seat

  • (Mach.), a bed or groove to receive a key which prevents one part from turning on the other.
Webster 1913

key signature

  • noun the sharps or flats that follow the clef and indicate the key
    signature.
WordNet

key stroke

  • noun the stroke of a key; one depression of a key on a keyboard
    keystroke.
    • the number of keystrokes was used as a measure of work
WordNet

key tone

Key" tone`
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) See Keynote.
Webster 1913

Key way

  • a channel for a key, in the hole of a piece which is keyed to a shaft; an internal key seat; called also key seat.
Webster 1913

key west

  • noun a town on the westernmost of the Florida keys in the Gulf of Mexico
WordNet

key word

  • noun a word that is used as a pattern to decode an encrypted message
  • noun a significant word used in indexing or cataloging
WordNet

Key wrench

  • (Mach.), an adjustable wrench in which the movable jaw is made fast by a key.
Webster 1913

key-cold

Key"-cold` adjective
Definitions
  1. Cold as a metallic key; lifeless. Formerly, a proverbial expression. Shak. Milton.
Webster 1913

low-key

  • adjective satellite restrained in style or quality
    low-key; subdued.
    • a little masterpiece of low-keyed eloquence
WordNet

low-keyed

  • adjective satellite restrained in style or quality
    low-key; subdued.
    • a little masterpiece of low-keyed eloquence
WordNet

Major key

  • noun a key whose harmony is based on the major scale
    major mode.
WordNet
  • (Mus.), a key in which one and two, two and three, four and five, five and six and seven, make major seconds, and three and four, and seven and eight, make minor seconds.
Webster 1913

Master key

  • noun key that secures entrance everywhere
    master; passe-partout; passkey.
WordNet
  • a key adapted to open several locks differing somewhat from each other; figuratively, a rule or principle of general application in solving difficulties.
Webster 1913

minor key

  • noun a key based on the minor scale
    minor mode.
WordNet

Night key

  • a key for unfastening a night latch.
Webster 1913

Nose key

  • (Carp.), a fox wedge.
Webster 1913

off-key

  • adjective satellite inaccurate in pitch
    sour; false.
    • a false (or sour) note
    • her singing was off key
WordNet

on-key

  • adjective satellite in tune; accurate in pitch
    true.
    • a true note
WordNet

pass-key

Pass"-key` noun
Definitions
  1. A key for opening more locks than one; a master key.
Webster 1913

Power of the keys

  • (Eccl.), the authority claimed by the ministry in some Christian churches to administer the discipline of the church, and to grant or withhold its privileges; so called from the declaration of Christ, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Matt. xvi. 19.
Webster 1913

return key

  • noun the key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed
    return.
WordNet

Screw key

  • noun a wrench for turning a screw
WordNet
  • a wrench for turming a screw or nut; a spanner wrench.
Webster 1913

shift key

  • noun the key on the typewriter keyboard that shifts from lower-case letters to upper-case letters
    shift.
WordNet

Skeleton key

  • noun a passkey with much of the bit filed away so that it can open different locks
WordNet
  • a key with nearly the whole substance of the web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock; a master key; used for opening locks to which it has not been especially fitted.
Webster 1913

tab key

  • noun the key on a typewriter or a word processor that causes a tabulation
    tab.
WordNet

telegraph key

  • noun key consisting of a lever that sends a telegraph signal when it is depressed and the circuit is closed
WordNet

To key up

  • . (a) (Arch.) To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its centering, by driving in the keystone forcibly . (b) (Mus.) To raise the pitch of . (c) Hence, fig., to produce nervous tension in.
Webster 1913

tonic key

  • noun the basic key in which a piece of music is written
    home key.
WordNet

Tooth key

  • an instrument used to extract teeth by a motion resembling that of turning a key.
Webster 1913

watch key

  • noun winder consisting of a key with a square hole; used for winding some watches
WordNet