| key [a] |
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| 1) | serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure" |
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| Synonyms : | cardinal central fundamental primal |
| See Also:
| important |
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| 2) | effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word" |
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| Synonyms : | operative |
| See Also:
| important |
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| key [n] |
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| 1) | metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| device ignition_key latchkey master shank |
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| 2) | something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| explanation |
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| 3) | pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| pitch |
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| 4) | any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music |
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| Synonyms : | tonality |
| See Also:
| musical_notation atonalism major_key minor_key home_key |
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| 5) | a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| kg argot |
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| 6) | a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple |
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| Synonyms : | key_fruit samara |
| See Also:
| achene |
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| 7) | 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) |
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| Synonyms : | francis_scott_key |
| See Also:
| attorney poet |
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| 8) | a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida |
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| Synonyms : | cay florida_keys |
| See Also:
| coral_reef everglade_state |
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| 9) | (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court; "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint" |
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| Synonyms : | paint |
| See Also:
| space basketball_court basketball foul_line |
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| 10) | a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| list |
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| 11) | a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| list key_word |
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| 12) | a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access; "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| positive_identification |
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| 13) | mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) |
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| Synonyms : | winder |
| See Also:
| mechanical_device wind watch_key |
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| 14) | the central building block at the top of an arch or vault |
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| Synonyms : | headstone keystone |
| See Also:
| building_block arch coign |
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| 15) | a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| lever keyboard action backspace_key command_key return space_bar tab telegraph_key |
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| key [v] |
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| 1) | identify as in botany or biology, for example |
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| Synonyms : | describe discover distinguish identify key_out name |
| See Also:
| assort name naming designation identity |
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| 2) | provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| furnish |
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| 3) | vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| vandalise |
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| 4) | regulate the musical pitch of |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| chord music |
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| 5) | harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude" |
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| Synonyms : | |
| See Also:
| harmonise |
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