key workingn.
/ˈkiː ˌwəːkɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈki ˌwərkɪŋ/ 1. Originally U.S. The action of working with a key or keys, in various senses; spec. (a) the operation of a telegraph (cf. key worker n. 1); (b) the action of picking locks; burglary (cf. key worker n. 2). Now rare.
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the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > burglary > [noun] > lock-picking or -forcing
black art1591
sneck-drawing1786
key working1901
loiding1968
1901 Electr. World & Engineer 27 July 133/2 The American Rapid Company..was doing a fine business..when a few Morse men got control, resumed key-working, and burst it up in short order.
1904 Lima (Ohio) Times Democrat 22 Dec. 4/7 Harry..is under arrest..with..Sawyer, charged with being the fellows who have done numerous key working jobs..recently.
1908 Current Lit. Feb. 232/1 (advt.) Without changing the conditions of key-working a speed of 1,000 words a minute for 1,000 miles is commercially practicable.
1939 Times 8 May 9/1 He was wearing an experimental pack wireless set (which can be used either for speech or key working).
2. Chiefly British. The system or practice of using key workers to coordinate the care of an individual; (also) the occupation or profession of a key worker. Cf. key worker n. 4.
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1983 New Society 27 Oct. 177/2 (advt.) The applicant will need to show experience in ‘key working’ and have the ability to assess the future needs of the children in our care.
1990 Guardian 14 Feb. 36/4 (advt.) We place great emphasis on key-working and case planning to encourage resident self-determination.
2002 Community Care 18 July 63 (advt.) A keyworking system which allows staff to work with families in the community.
2010 Somerset Guardian (Nexis) 14 Oct. 13 The services will include: assessment, key working, outreach, group work, [etc.].
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1901