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Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: key up vb - (tr, adverb) to raise the intensity, excitement, tension, etc, of
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024key1 /ki/USA pronunciation n., pl. keys, adj., v., keyed, key•ing. n. [countable] - Buildinga small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt:the house keys.
- any of various devices resembling or functioning as a key:The key of an old-fashioned clock is used to wind it up.
- something that provides a means to achieve, become skilled at, or understand something else:the key to a secret code; the key to happiness.
- a book or other text containing the solutions or answers for material given elsewhere, as testing exercises.
- an explanation of abbreviations, symbols, and the like used in a dictionary, map, etc.:a pronunciation key.
- Computingone of the buttons or levers on the keyboard of a typewriter, computer, piano, or the like, that are pressed to operate the device.
- Music and Dance
- the principal tonality of a piece of music:a symphony in the key of C minor.
- mood or characteristic style, as of expression or thought:He writes in a melancholy key.
- Electricity
- a hand-operated switching device capable of switching one or more parts of a circuit.
adj. [before a noun] - chief;
major; essential; crucial; fundamental; pivotal:a key industry. v. - to bring into a state of agreement, conformity, or harmony;
coordinate:[~ + object]The commercials should be keyed to the audience who will be viewing them. - Music and Dance[~ + object] to regulate the musical pitch of.
- to set with or as if with a key:[~ + object]He keyed the alarm.
- Computingto type (data) into a computer: [~ + in + object]He keyed in all the data.[~ + object + in]He keyed the data in.
- key (in) on, [~ + in + on + object] to single out as important:The basketball team keyed in on their opponent's star player.
key2 /ki/USA pronunciation n. [countable], pl. keys. - Geographya reef or low island;
cay.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024key1 (kē),USA pronunciation n., pl. keys, adj., v., keyed, key•ing. n. - a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt.
- any of various devices resembling or functioning as a key:the key of a clock.
- See key card.
- something that affords a means of access:the key to happiness.
- something that secures or controls entrance to a place:Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.
- something that affords a means of clarifying a problem.
- a book, pamphlet, or other text containing the solutions or translations of material given elsewhere, as testing exercises.
- a systematic explanation of abbreviations, symbols, etc., used in a dictionary, map, etc.:pronunciation key.Cf. legend (def. 4).
- Cryptographythe system, method, pattern, etc., used to decode or decipher a cryptogram, as a code book, machine setting, or key word.
- Computingone of a set of marked parts, designated areas, or levers pressed in operating a typewriter, computer terminal, calculator, etc.
- Telecommunicationsa manually operated lever for opening and closing an electric circuit, used to produce signals in telegraphy.
- Music and Dance
- (in a keyboard instrument) one of the levers that when depressed by the performer sets in motion the playing mechanism.
- (on a woodwind instrument) a metal lever that opens and closes a vent.
- the relationship perceived between all tones in a given unit of music and a single tone or a keynote;
tonality. - the principal tonality of a composition:a symphony in the key of C minor.
- the keynote or tonic of a scale.
- tone or pitch, as of voice:to speak in a high key.
- mood or characteristic style, as of expression or thought:He writes in a melancholy key.
- degree of intensity, as of feeling or action.
- Mechanical Engineeringa pin, bolt, wedge, or other piece inserted in a hole or space to lock or hold parts of a mechanism or structure together;
a cotter. - Mechanical Engineeringa small piece of steel fitting into matching slots of a hub of a wheel or the like and the shaft on which the wheel is mounted so that torque is transmitted from one to the other.
- a contrivance for grasping and turning a bolt, nut, etc.
- Computinga field or group of characters within a record that identifies the record, establishing its position among sorted records, and/or provides information about its contents.
- Business(in a series of advertisements or announcements soliciting replies) a unique code inserted for each medium used, to determine the relative effectiveness of the media.
- Electricity
- a device for opening and closing electrical contacts.
- a hand-operated switching device ordinarily formed of concealed spring contacts with an exposed handle or push button, capable of switching one or more parts of a circuit.
- Biologya systematic tabular classification of the significant characteristics of the members of a group of organisms to facilitate identification and comparison.
- Building, Architecture[Masonry.]a keystone.
- Architecture(in a ribbed vault) a stone, as a boss, at the intersection of two or more ribs.
- Building[Masonry, Carpentry.]a wedge, as for tightening a joint or splitting a stone or timber.
- Building[Carpentry.]a small piece of wood set into a timber across the grain to prevent warping.
- Buildingany grooving or roughness applied to a surface to improve its bond with another surface.
- Sport[Basketball.]keyhole (def. 2).
- Photographythe dominant tonal value of a picture, a high-key picture having light tonal values and minimal contrast and a low-key picture being generally dark with minimal contrast.
- Fine Art[Painting.]the tonal value and intensity of a color or range of colors:Rembrandt's colors are characterized by their low key.
- Botanya samara.
- Government(cap.) a member of the House of Keys.
- Religion keys, spiritual authority.
- power of the keys, the authority of a pope in ecclesiastical matters, vested in him as successor of St. Peter.
adj. - chief;
major; important; essential; fundamental; pivotal:a key person in the company; key industries.
v.t. - to regulate or adjust (actions, thoughts, speech, etc.) to a particular state or activity;
bring into conformity:to key one's speech to the intellectual level of the audience. - Music and Danceto regulate the key or pitch of.
- Fine Art[Painting.]
- to paint (a picture) in a given key.
- to adjust the colors in (a painting) to a particular hue:He keyed the painting to brown.
- Mechanical Engineeringto fasten, secure, or adjust with a key, wedge, or the like, as parts of a mechanism.
- to provide with a key.
- Journalism(in the layout of newspapers, magazines, etc.) to identify, through signs or symbols, the positions of illustrations or pieces of copy in a dummy.
- to lock with or as if with a key.
- Building[Masonry.]to provide (an arch or vault) with a keystone.
- Computingkeyboard (def. 4).
v.i. - to use a key.
- Computingkeyboard (def. 4).
- Computing key in, keyboard (def. 4).
- Sport key on:
- Sport[Football.]to watch the position and movements of an opponent in order to anticipate a play:The defensive backs keyed on the star receiver.
- Also, key in on. to single out as of prime importance or interest;
be intent on or obsessed with:a company that is keyed in on growth.
- key up:
- to bring to a particular degree of intensity of feeling, excitement, energy, nervousness, agitation, etc.:keyed up over the impending test.
- to raise (a piece of masonry) by the insertion of a wedge or wedges.
- to raise (the haunches of an arch) by the insertion of a voussoir.
- bef. 900; Middle English key(e), kay(e), Old English cǣg, cǣge; cognate with Old Frisian kei, kai
- 6.See corresponding entry in Unabridged answer, explanation, resolution, clue.
key2 (kē),USA pronunciation n., pl. keys. - Geographya reef or low island;
cay.
- Arawak
- Spanish cayo, probably
- 1690–1700
key3 (kē),USA pronunciation n., pl. keys. [Slang.]- Slang Termsa kilogram of marijuana or a narcotic drug.
- shortening and respelling, respelled of kilogram 1965–70, American.
Key (kē),USA pronunciation n. - Biographical Francis Scott, 1780–1843, U.S. lawyer: author of The Star-Spangled Banner.
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