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English adjective: key

1. key serving as an essential component


SamplesA cardinal rule.
The central cause of the problem.
An example that was fundamental to the argument.
Computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure.


Synonymscardinal, central, fundamental, primal


Similarimportant, of import


Antonymsunimportant


English noun: key

1. key (artifact) metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated


Broader (hypernym)device


Narrower (hyponym)ignition key, latchkey, master, master key, passe-partout, passkey


Part holonymbit, shank, stem

2. key (cognition) something crucial for explaining


SamplesThe key to development is economic integration.


Broader (hypernym)explanation

3. key (attribute) pitch of the voice


SamplesHe spoke in a low key.


Broader (hypernym)pitch

4. key (communication) any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music


Synonymstonality


Broader (hypernym)musical notation


Narrower (hyponym)home key, major key, major mode, minor key, minor mode, tonic key


Antonymsatonalism, atonality

5. key (quantity) a kilogram of a narcotic drug


SamplesThey were carrying two keys of heroin.


Broader (hypernym)kg, kilo, kilogram


Domain usageargot, cant, jargon, lingo, patois, slang, vernacular

6. key (plant) a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple


Synonymskey fruit, samara


Broader (hypernym)achene

7. Key (person) 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)


SynonymsFrancis Scott Key


Instance hypernymattorney, lawyer, poet

8. key (object) a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida


Synonymscay, Florida key


Broader (hypernym)coral reef


Part meronymEverglade State, FL, Florida, Sunshine State

9. key (location) (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


SamplesHe hit a jump shot from the top of the key.
He dominates play in the paint.


Synonymspaint


Broader (hypernym)space


Part holonymfoul line


Part meronymbasketball court


Domain categorybasketball, basketball game, hoops

10. key (communication) a list of answers to a test


SamplesSome students had stolen the key to the final exam.


Broader (hypernym)list, listing

11. key (communication) a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations


Broader (hypernym)list, listing


Narrower (hyponym)key word

12. key (communication) a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access


SamplesA safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it.


Broader (hypernym)positive identification

13. key (artifact) mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)


Synonymswinder


Broader (hypernym)mechanical device


Narrower (hyponym)watch key

14. key (artifact) the central building block at the top of an arch or vault


Synonymsheadstone, keystone


Broader (hypernym)building block


Narrower (hyponym)coign, coigne, quoin


Part meronymarch

15. key (artifact) a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed


Broader (hypernym)lever


Narrower (hyponym)backspace, backspace key, backspacer, command key, control key, return, return key, shift, shift key, space bar, tab, tab key, telegraph key


Part meronymaction, action mechanism


Member meronymkeyboard


English verb: key

1. key (cognition) identify as in botany or biology, for example


Synonymsdescribe, discover, distinguish, identify, key out, name


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Entailassort, class, classify, separate, sort, sort out

2. key (possession) provide with a key


SamplesWe were keyed after the locks were changed in the building.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)furnish, provide, render, supply

3. key (contact) vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key


SamplesHis new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)vandalise, vandalize

4. key (change) regulate the musical pitch of


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something PP


Broader (hypernym)chord, harmonise, harmonize


Domain categorymusic

5. key (change) harmonize with or adjust to


SamplesKey one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody PP


Broader (hypernym)harmonise, harmonize, reconcile









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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