Idioms for key
power of the keys,
the authority of a pope in ecclesiastical matters, vested in him as successor of St. Peter.
Origin of key
1
before 900; Middle English
key(e),
kay(e), Old English
cǣg, cǣge; cognate with Old Frisian
kei, kai
Words nearby key
keweenaw peninsula,
kewl,
kewpie,
kewpie doll,
kex,
key,
key card,
key case,
key club,
key deer,
key drive
Definition for key (2 of 4)
key
2
[ kee ]
/ ki /
noun, plural keys.
a reef or low island; cay.
Origin of key
2
1690–1700; < Spanish
cayo, probably < Arawak
Definition for key (3 of 4)
key
3
[ kee ]
/ ki /
noun, plural keys. Slang.
a kilogram of marijuana or a narcotic drug.
Origin of key
3
1965–70,
Americanism; shortening and respelling of
kilogram
Definition for key (4 of 4)
Key
[ kee ]
/ ki /
noun
Francis Scott,1780–1843,
U.S. lawyer: author of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Example sentences from the Web for key
British Dictionary definitions for key (1 of 3)
key
1
/ (kiː) /
noun
adjective
of great importance; crucial
a key issue
verb (mainly tr)
Derived forms of key
keyless, adjectiveWord Origin for key
Old English
cǣg; related to Old Frisian
kēi, Middle Low German
keie spear
British Dictionary definitions for key (2 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for key (3 of 3)
Key
/ (kiː) /
noun
John (Phillip). born 1961, New Zealand politician; prime minister from 2008
Scientific definitions for key
key
[ kē ]
See cay.
Cultural definitions for key
key
The main or central note of a piece of music (or part of a piece of music). Each key has its own scale, beginning and ending on the note that defines the octave of the next scale. The key of C-major uses a scale that starts on C and uses only the white keys of the piano. In a piece composed in the key of C, the music is likely to end on the note C, and certain combinations of notes based on C will predominate.
Idioms and Phrases with key
key