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skeleton key
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
skeleton key
noun
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▪ Alexander Rokovssky carefully inserted a skeleton key, and slowly turned it.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Skeleton key

Skeleton \Skel"e*ton\, a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal.

Skeleton bill, a bill or draft made out in blank as to the amount or payee, but signed by the acceptor. [Eng.]

Skeleton key, a key with nearly the whole substance of the web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock; a master key; -- used for opening locks to which it has not been especially fitted.

Skeleton leaf, a leaf from which the pulpy part has been removed by chemical means, the fibrous part alone remaining.

Skeleton proof, a proof of a print or engraving, with the inscription outlined in hair strokes only, such proofs being taken before the engraving is finished.

Skeleton regiment, a regiment which has its complement of officers, but in which there are few enlisted men.

Skeleton shrimp (Zo["o]l.), a small crustacean of the genus Caprella. See Illust. under L[ae]modipoda.

Wiktionary
skeleton key

n. 1 A very simple design of key that usually has a cylindrical shaft (sometimes called a "shank") and a single, minimal flat, rectangular tooth or "bit". 2 A key that has parts filed away so that it will open a range of locks

WordNet
skeleton key

n. a passkey with much of the bit filed away so that it can open different locks

Wikipedia
Skeleton Key (band)

Skeleton Key is a rock band based in New York City. The band was conceived by bassist and singer Erik Sanko, the only constant member of the band. His intent was to create a sound "luxurious, yet affordable," using antique microphones, primitive guitars, and unconventional percussion.

Skeleton key

A skeleton key (also known as a passkey) is a type of master key in which the serrated edge has been filed down so that it can open numerous locks, most commonly the warded lock. The term derives from the fact that the key has been reduced to its essential parts.

In a broader sense the term can be used synonymously with master key to refer to any key, keycard or other device capable of opening a variety of locks.

In US English usage, 'skeleton key' is also occasionally used to mean a standard lever lock key. It is sometimes misapplied to refer to any antique key.

Skeleton Key (novel)

Skeleton Key is the third book in the Alex Rider series written by British author Anthony Horowitz. The book was released in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2002, and in the United States on April 28, 2003.

Skeleton Key (comics)

Skeleton Key is the title of a comic book by British author Andi Watson. It was published beginning in 1995 by Slave Labor Graphics and was Watson's first monthly comic. Skeleton Key ran for 30 issues and a number of supplemental stories and was generally well received. The 30 issues were subsequently collected in five volumes.

Skeleton Key (disambiguation)

A skeleton key is a key that has been filed in such a way as to bypass the security measures placed inside a warded lock.

Skeleton Key may also refer to:

  • Skeleton Key (novel), a novel by Anthony Horowitz published in 2002
  • The Skeleton Key, a detective novel by Bernard Capes, published posthumously in 1920
  • Skeleton Key (band), a rock band
  • Skeleton Key (comics), a comic book by Andi Watson
  • The Skeleton Key, a 2005 film
  • Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads, a book by David Shenk and Steve Silberman
  • Skeleton Key, a song by Days Of The New from their second album

Usage examples of "skeleton key".

Leng had changed the lock on the door leading into his room, but I retained a skeleton key which turned the wards and unshot the bolt.

I slid the skeleton key into his back and turned it, and he came loose again, rose to his feet, staring at me.

The Magician's message made it clear that he needed the cent: SKELETON KEY TO HEAVEN CENT.

Petersen circled to the rear of the hotel, climbed the fire escape, let himself in to the third-floor passage, moved along this, turned into a left-hand corridor and let himself into his room with a skeleton key.

They experimented, and discovered the skeleton key, and made a skeleton child.

Jander inserted the large skeleton key into the lock, turned it twice, then pushed open the door.

Marry called another guard to take over his station and got the skeleton key for Paul's apartment.

It was an electronic skeleton key which could be slipped into a keycard slot to decipher the code-sequence and unlock any given door.