English Dictionary

key

/kiː/

verb

To fit (a lock) with a key. / To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them. / To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.

I need to key the lock before it can be opened.

意味（1）

To fit (a lock) with a key.

意味（2）

To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them.

意味（3）

To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.

So I worked on a tissue-paper copy of the perimeter plan, outlining groupings of plants of the same species and keying them with letters for the species.

意味（4）

(telegraphy and radio telegraphy) To depress (a telegraph key).

意味（5）

(radio) To operate (the transmitter switch of a two-way radio).

意味（6）

(computing) (more usually to key in) To enter (information) by typing on a keyboard or keypad.

Our instructor told us to key in our user IDs.

意味（7）

(colloquial) To vandalize (a car, etc.) by scratching with an implement such as a key.

He keyed the car that had taken his parking spot.

意味（8）

To link (as one might do with a key or legend).

The American Heart Association has prepared their own guide to classification and, keying it with the Standard Nomenclature of Diseases, have done much to encourage a concise yet complete diagnosis.

意味（9）

(intransitive, biology, chiefly taxonomy) To be identified as a certain taxon when using a key.

意味（10）

(advertising, transitive) To modify (an advertisement) so as to target a particular group or demographic.

Keying advertisements and counting the number of inquiries received or the number of coupons returned to indicate the pulling power of a particular piece of copy or the coverage of a particular advertising medium.

意味（11）

To attune to; to set at; to pitch.

To Ethel alone she addressed a stray remark, keyed below the sound of other voices.

意味（12）

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

they Mouldered and keyed the Portico Arches with Pieces of Stone, because Brick was not strong enough

意味（13）

To prepare for plastering by adding the key (that part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place).