English dictionary
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English adjective: key | |||
| 1. | key serving as an essential component | ||
| Samples | A cardinal rule. The central cause of the problem. An example that was fundamental to the argument. Computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure. | ||
| Synonyms | cardinal, central, fundamental, primal | ||
| Similar | important, of import | ||
| Antonyms | unimportant | ||
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 holonym | bit, shank, stem | ||
| 2. | key (cognition) something crucial for explaining | ||
| Samples | The key to development is economic integration. | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | explanation | ||
| 3. | key (attribute) pitch of the voice | ||
| Samples | He 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 | ||
| Synonyms | tonality | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | musical notation | ||
| Narrower (hyponym) | home key, major key, major mode, minor key, minor mode, tonic key | ||
| Antonyms | atonalism, atonality | ||
| 5. | key (quantity) a kilogram of a narcotic drug | ||
| Samples | They were carrying two keys of heroin. | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | kg, kilo, kilogram | ||
| Domain usage | argot, cant, jargon, lingo, patois, slang, vernacular | ||
| 6. | key (plant) a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple | ||
| Synonyms | key 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) | ||
| Synonyms | Francis Scott Key | ||
| Instance hypernym | attorney, lawyer, poet | ||
| 8. | key (object) a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida | ||
| Synonyms | cay, Florida key | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | coral reef | ||
| Part meronym | Everglade 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 | ||
| Samples | He hit a jump shot from the top of the key. He dominates play in the paint. | ||
| Synonyms | paint | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | space | ||
| Part holonym | foul line | ||
| Part meronym | basketball court | ||
| Domain category | basketball, basketball game, hoops | ||
| 10. | key (communication) a list of answers to a test | ||
| Samples | Some 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 | ||
| Samples | A 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) | ||
| Synonyms | winder | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | mechanical device | ||
| Narrower (hyponym) | watch key | ||
| 14. | key (artifact) the central building block at the top of an arch or vault | ||
| Synonyms | headstone, keystone | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | building block | ||
| Narrower (hyponym) | coign, coigne, quoin | ||
| Part meronym | arch | ||
| 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 meronym | action, action mechanism | ||
| Member meronym | keyboard | ||
English verb: key | |||
| 1. | key (cognition) identify as in botany or biology, for example | ||
| Synonyms | describe, discover, distinguish, identify, key out, name | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
| Entail | assort, class, classify, separate, sort, sort out | ||
| 2. | key (possession) provide with a key | ||
| Samples | We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building. | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | furnish, provide, render, supply | ||
| 3. | key (contact) vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key | ||
| Samples | His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot. | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | vandalise, vandalize | ||
| 4. | key (change) regulate the musical pitch of | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something PP | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | chord, harmonise, harmonize | ||
| Domain category | music | ||
| 5. | key (change) harmonize with or adjust to | ||
| Samples | Key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude. | ||
| Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody PP | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | harmonise, harmonize, reconcile | ||
Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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Web design: Orcapia v/Per Bang. English edition: .
2025 onlineordbog.dk