Definition of Key

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Definition of Key

key

An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.

An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.

That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.

A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem.

That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.

A piece of wood used as a wedge.

The last board of a floor when laid down.

A keystone.

That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.

A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.

A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.

An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit.

A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.

The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote.

Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.

To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.

A metallic lever by which the circuit of the sending or transmitting part of a station equipment may be easily and rapidly opened and closed; any device for closing or opening an electric circuit.

A simplified version or analysis which accompanies something as a clue to its explanation, a book or table containing the solutions to problems, ciphers, allegories, or the like, or a table or synopsis of conspicuous distinguishing characters of members of a taxonomic group.

A bar or key, in a typewriter or typesetting machine, used for spacing between letters.

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Key Quotations

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.
Stephen Covey

Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.
Winston Churchill

Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening.
Mohandas Gandhi

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
Bill Cosby

Action is the foundational key to all success.
Pablo Picasso

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.
Lao Tzu

Imagination is the key to my lyrics. The rest is painted with a little science fiction.
Jimi Hendrix

The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things we fear.
Brian Tracy

One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace, good people don't go into government.
Donald Trump

If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it.
George Burns

Key Translations

key in Afrikaans is sleutel
key in Dutch is toonschaal, toonladder, scala
key in Italian is chiave, tasto
key in Portuguese is chave
key in Spanish is tecla, clave, llave
key in Swedish is tangent, nyckel

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