What is "key"

Quay \Quay\, n. [F. quai. See Key quay.] A mole, bank, or wharf, formed toward the sea, or at the side of a harbor, river, or other navigable water, for convenience in loading and unloading vessels. [Written also key.]

Cotter \Cot"ter\ (k[o^]t"t[~e]r), n.

1. A piece of wood or metal, commonly wedge-shaped, used for fastening together parts of a machine or structure. It is driven into an opening through one or all of the parts.

   Note: [See Illust.] In the United States a cotter is commonly called a key.

2. A toggle.

key \key\, a. Essential; most important; as, the key fact in the inquiry; the president was the key player inthe negotiations.

"metal piece that works a lock," from Old English cæg "key," of unknown origin, with no certain cognates other than Old Frisian kei. Perhaps related to Middle Low German keie "lance, spear" on notion of "tool to cleave with," from Proto-Germanic *ki- "to cleaver, split" (cognates: German Keil "wedge," Gothic us-kijans "come forth," said of seed sprouts, keinan "to germinate"). But Liberman writes, "The original meaning of *kaig-jo- was presumably '*pin with a twisted end.' Words with the root *kai- followed by a consonant meaning 'crooked, bent; twisted' are common only in the North Germanic languages." Modern pronunciation is a northern variant predominating from c.1700; earlier it was often spelled and pronounced kay.\n

\nFigurative sense of "that which serves to open or explain" was in Old English; meaning "that which holds together other parts" is from 1520s. As "answer to a test," it is from chess, short for key move, "first move in a solution to a set problem." Musical sense of "tone, note" is 15c., but modern sense of "scale" is 1580s, probably as a translation of Latin clavis or French clef (see clef; also see keynote). Extended c.1500 to "mechanism on a musical instrument." As a verb meaning "to scratch (a car's paint job) with a key" it is recorded by 1986.

"low island," 1690s, from Spanish cayo "shoal, reef," from Taino cayo "small island;" spelling influenced by Middle English key "wharf" (c.1300), from Old French kai "sand bank" (see quay).

Etymology 1

1. 1 indispensable, supremely important. 2 important, salient. n. An object designed to open and close a lock. v

2. 1 To fit (a lock) with a key. 2 To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them. 3 To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class. 4 (context telegraphy and radio telegraphy English) To depress (a telegraph key). 5 (context radio English) To operate (the transmitter switch of a two-way radio). 6 (context computing English) (''more usually'' '''to key in''') To enter (information) by typing on a keyboard or keypad. 7 (context colloquial English) To vandalize (a car, et

3. ) by scratching with an implement such as a key. 8 To link (as one might do with a key or legend). 9 (context intransitive biology chiefly taxonomy English) To be identified as a certain taxon when using a key. 10 To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges. Etymology 2

   alt. One of a string of small islands. n. One of a string of small islands. Etymology 3

   n. (alternative form of quay English)

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

2. something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"

3. pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"

4. any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music [syn: tonality] [ant: atonality]

5. a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"

6. a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple [syn: samara, key fruit]

7. 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) [syn: Francis Scott Key]

8. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida [syn: cay, Florida keys]

9. (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; "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint" [syn: paint]

10. a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"

11. a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

12. a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access; "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it"

13. mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) [syn: winder]

14. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault [syn: keystone, headstone]

15. a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed

1. adj. serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure" [syn: cardinal, central, fundamental, primal]

2. effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word" [syn: operative]

1. v. identify as in botany or biology, for example [syn: identify, discover, key out, distinguish, describe, name]

2. provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"

3. vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"

4. regulate the musical pitch of

5. harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

In cryptography, a key is a piece of information (a parameter) that determines the functional output of a cryptographic algorithm. For encryption algorithms, a key specifies the transformation of plaintext into ciphertext, and vice versa for decryption algorithms. Keys also specify transformations in other cryptographic algorithms, such as digital signature schemes and message authentication codes.

The KeY tool is used in formal verification of Java programs. It accepts specifications written in the Java Modeling Language to Java source files. These are transformed into theorems of dynamic logic and then compared against program semantics that are likewise defined in terms of dynamic logic. KeY is significantly powerful in that it supports both interactive (i.e. by hand) and fully automated correctness proofs. Failed proof attempts can be used for a more efficient debugging or verification-based testing. There have been several extensions to KeY in order to apply it to the verification of C programs or hybrid systems. KeY is jointly developed by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany; Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany; and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden and is licensed under the GPL.

In music theory, the key of a piece is a group of pitches, or scale upon which a music composition is created in classical, Western art, and Western pop music. The group features a tonic note and its corresponding chords, also called a tonic or tonic chord, providing a subjective sense of arrival and rest and also has a unique relationship to the other pitches of the same group, their corresponding chords, and pitches and chords outside the group. Notes and chords other than the tonic in a piece create varying degrees of tension, resolved when the tonic note or chord returns. The key may be in the major or minor mode, although major is assumed in a phrase like "this piece is in C." Popular songs are usually in a key, and so is classical music during the common practice period, circa 1650–1900. Longer pieces in the classical repertoire may have sections in contrasting keys.

Methods that establish the key for a particular piece can be complicated to explain, and vary over music history. However, the chords most often used in a piece in a particular key are those that contain the notes in the corresponding scale, and conventional progressions of these chords, particularly cadences, orient the listener around the tonic.

The key signature is not always a reliable guide to the key of a written piece. It does not discriminate between a major key and its relative minor; the piece may modulate to a different key; if the modulation is brief, it may not involve a change of key signature, being indicated instead with accidentals. Occasionally, a piece in a mode such as Mixolydian or Dorian is written with a major or minor key signature appropriate to the tonic, and accidentals throughout the piece.

Pieces in modes not corresponding to major or minor keys may sometimes be referred to as being in the key of the tonic. A piece using some other type of harmony, resolving e.g. to A, might be described as "in A" to indicate that A is the tonal center of the piece.

An instrument may be said to be "in a key," an unrelated usage referring to the pitches considered "natural" for that instrument. For example, modern trumpets are usually in the key of B, since the notes produced without the use of valves correspond to the harmonic series whose fundamental pitch is B. (Such instruments are said to be transposing when their written notes differ from concert pitch.)

A key relationship is the relationship between keys, measured by common tones and nearness on the circle of fifths. See: closely related key.

A key is a specific part of a musical instrument. The purpose and function of the part in question depends on the instrument.

On instruments equipped with tuning machines, violins and guitars, for example, a key is part of a tuning machine. It is a worm gear with a key shaped end used to turn a cog, which, in turn, is attached to a post which winds the string. The key is used to make pitch adjustments to a string.

With other instruments, zithers and drums, for example, a key is essentially a small wrench used to turn a tuning machine or lug.

On woodwind instruments such as a flute or saxophone, keys are finger operated levers used to open or close tone holes, thereby shortening or lengthening the resonating tube of the instrument. The keys on the keyboard of a pipe organ also open and close various valves, but the air flow is driven mechanically rather than lung powered, and the flow of air is directed through different pipes tuned for each note. The keys of an accordion direct the air flow from a manually operated bellows across various tuned vibrating reeds.

On other keyboard instruments, a key may be a lever which mechanically triggers a hammer to strike a group of strings, as on a piano, or an electric switch which energizes an audio oscillator as on an electronic organ or a synthesizer.

The Key is the name of two fictional supervillains in the DC Comics universe. The most widely known version, the "Modern Age" villain that first appeared in 1965, is a long-time and highly dangerous opponent of the Justice League. The character continues to appear in Justice League and Batman comics, with a ghoulish (rather than human) appearance since 1997.

Key is the second full-length from Omaha, NE's Son, Ambulance.

It is the 71st release from Saddle Creek Records.

Key is a Japanese visual novel studio which formed on July 21, 1998 as a brand under the publisher VisualArt's and is located in Kita, Osaka, Japan. Key released their debut visual novel Kanon in June 1999, which combined an elaborate storyline, an up-to-date anime-style drawing style, and a musical score which helped to set the mood for the game. Key's second game Air released in September 2000 had a similar if not more complex storyline to Kanon and a more thorough gameplay. Both Kanon and Air were originally produced as adult games, but Key broke this trend with their third title Clannad which was released in April 2004 for all ages. Key has worked in the past with Interchannel and Prototype for the consumer port releases of the brand's games. Key collaborated with P.A. Works and Aniplex to produce the anime series Angel Beats! (2010) and Charlotte (2015). The brand's ninth game Rewrite was released in June 2011, and a fan disc for the game titled Rewrite Harvest festa! was released in July 2012. The first volume in the six-part Angel Beats! episodic visual novel was released in June 2015. Key will release the kinetic novel Harmonia in 2016.

Co-founder Jun Maeda is a prominent figure in the brand, having contributed to the planning, scenario, and music composition in the majority of Key's visual novels. Itaru Hinoue, also a co-founder, is Key's main artist and was the art director for Key's first three games. Na-Ga, another prominent artist in the brand, mainly worked with background art in earlier games, but with Key's sixth game Little Busters! was given the position of co-art director with Hinoue. Shinji Orito, Key's main composer and another co-founder, has composed music for the majority of Key's titles. Yūto Tonokawa, a scenario writer, first worked on the scenario in Little Busters!.

Key has been an active participant at the Comiket convention since Comiket 57 in December 1999, where they sold Kanon-related products; Key's latest appearance at Comiket was at Comiket 89 in December 2015. In 2001, VisualArt's created the record label Key Sounds Label to release music albums and singles with music related to Key's visual novels. Between December 2007 and August 2010, Key produced an Internet radio show called Key Net Radio in regard to the brand.

A key is a device that is used to operate a lock (such as to lock or unlock it). A typical key is a small piece of metal consisting of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. A key is usually intended to operate one specific lock or a small number of locks that are keyed alike, so each lock requires a unique key. The key serves as a security token for access to the locked area; only persons having the correct key can open the lock and gain access.

Keys provide an inexpensive, though imperfect, method of access control for access to physical properties like buildings, vehicles and cupboards or cabinets. As such, keys are an essential feature of modern living, and are common around the world. It is common for people to carry the set of keys they need for their daily activities around with them, often linked by a keyring adorned by trinkets usually known as a keychain.

Key is a surname, and may refer to:

• Marquellas key ( September 7)
• Alexander Key (September 21, 1904 – July 25, 1979), American science fiction writer
• Bailie Key (b. March 16, 1999) - American artistic gymnast, 2013 National Champion
• Berthold Wells Key (19 December 1895 – 26 September 1986), British Indian Army officer
• cEvin Key (b. February 13, 1961), Canadian musician
• Dana Key (December 30, 1953 – June 6, 2010), American musician
• David M. Key (January 27, 1824 – February 3, 1900), U.S. Senator from Tennessee
• David McK. Key (February 4, 1900 – July 15, 1988), diploamat from Tennessee
• Ellen Key (December 11, 1849 – April 25, 1926), Swedish difference feminist writer
• Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843), author of the United States national anthem
• James L. Key
• Jimmy Key
• John Key, current Prime Minister of New Zealand
• John Ross Key
• Johnny Key, member of the Arkansas State Senate
• Kathleen Key
• Keegan-Michael Key
• Kelly Key
• Kristin Key
• Laurence Key (1895–1971), English cricketer
• Lieven de Key
• Philip Key (U.S. politician), a Representative of the State of Maryland in the United States Congress from 1791 to 1792.
• Philip Barton Key (U.S. politician), a Representative of the State of Maryland in the United States Congress from 1807 to 1812.
• Philip Barton Key (U.S. District Attorney), murder victim in a controversial nineteenth-century trial
• Robert Key (cricketer) (born 1979), English cricketer
• Robert Key (politician) (born 1945), a British politician, the Conservative MP for Salisbury
• Ryan Key
• Samuel M. Key
• Stephanie Key
• Ted Key
• Thomas Hewitt Key
• Tim Key
• V. O. Key, Jr.

Kim Ki-bum (born September 23, 1991), better known by his stage name Key, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as a member of the group Shinee in May 2008, and formed the duo Toheart with Nam Woo-hyun in 2014. Key began his acting career in 2011 in the Mnet's series Moon Night '90, playing Lee Hyun Do.

The key, officially referred to as the free throw lane by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the restricted area by the international governing body FIBA, and colloquially as the lane or the paint, is an area on a basketball court underneath the basket bounded by the endline, the foul line and other lines which are known as freebody lines, that are usually painted (although unpainted on some courts with painted perimeters). It is a critical area on the court where much of the action takes place in a game.

The key, in all games, starting with FIBA's amendments to its rules in 2010 (to be first implemented after the 2010 FIBA World Championship), is rectangular. Prior to 2006, the key in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments (mostly basketball played outside the United States, and almost all international tournaments including the World Championships and the Olympics) was trapezoidal in shape. Both NBA and FIBA keys are wide, while NCAA keys are narrower at .

The most-commonly enforced rule on the key is the " three seconds rule" in which a player from the offensive team is prohibited from staying on the key for more than three seconds, or else the player's team will lose possession of the ball. Another rule enforced is the lane violation in which players from both teams are prohibited to enter the lane until after the free throw shooter releases the ball from his hands (the shooter is prohibited to enter the key until after the ball hits the rim). An innovation is the introduction of the restricted area arc directly underneath the basket where the defending player cannot force an offensive foul on the opposing player.

In mechanical engineering, a key is a machine element used to connect a rotating machine element to a shaft. The key prevents relative rotation between the two parts and may enable torque transmission. For a key to function, the shaft and rotating machine element must have a keyway and a keyseat, which is a slot and pocket in which the key fits. The whole system is called a keyed joint. A keyed joint may allow relative axial movement between the parts.

Commonly keyed components include gears, pulleys, couplings, and washers.

Key is the debut album of Meredith Monk, released in 1971 through Increase Records.

Key is a 2011 Telugu psychological thriller produced by Sukumar Reddy for Dream Theater Entertainments and directed by Nagendra Prasad. Jagapati Babu plays the lead role, and the music was composed by Vijay Kurakula. The film is a remake of the English film Exam.