key

key1
(pl. -eys)
  1. a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, and which is placed into a lock and turned to open or close it
    钥匙
    ■a similar implement for operating a switch in the form of a lock, especially one operating the ignition of a motor vehicle
    开锁状物的工具；汽车打火钥匙
    ■an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut, especially one for winding a clock or turning a valve
    （拧螺丝钉、木钉、螺帽，尤指上发条或旋阀门用的）钥匙，扳手
    ■a pin, bolt, or wedge inserted between other pieces, or fitting into a hole or space designed for it, so as to lock parts together
    销子，楔，栓
  2. one of several buttons on a panel for operating a typewriter, word processor, or computer terminal
    （操作打字机、文字处理器或计算机终端的）键
    ■a lever depressed by the finger in playing an instrument such as the organ, piano, flute, or concertina
    琴键
    ■a lever operating a mechanical device for making or breaking an electric circuit, for example in telegraphy
    电键，电钥
  3. a thing that provides a means of gaining access to or understanding something
    （接近、进入或理解某事的）关键
    the key to Derek's behaviour may lie submerged in his unhappy past.
    弄清德里克行为的关键可能隐匿在他不幸的过去中。
    ■an explanatory list of symbols used in a map, table, etc
    （地图、图表等上的）符号表，凡例
    ■a set of answers to exercises or problems
    （练习或问题的）答案
    ■a word or system for solving a cipher or code
    密码本
    ■the first move in the solution of a chess problem
    （下棋的）关键一着
    ■(Computing)a field in a record which is used to identify that record uniquely
    (计算机)关键码
  4. (Music)a group of notes based on a particular note and comprising a scale, regarded as forming the tonal basis of a piece or passage of music
    (乐)调，主调
    the key of E minor.
    E小调。
    ■the tone or pitch of someone's voice
    人的声调
    his voice had changed to a lower key.
    他的声音变成了低调。
    ■(figurative)the prevailing tone or tenor of a piece of writing, situation, etc
    (喻)（文章、形势等）主调，基调
    it was like the sixties all over again, in a new, more austerely intellectual key.
    在一种新的更加质朴的智力的基调中，好像又全都回到了60年代之中。
    ■the prevailing range of tones or intensities in a painting
    （绘画的）基本色调
    these mauves, lime greens, and saffron yellows recall the high key of El Greco's palette.
    这些紫红色、石灰绿色和藏红花黄色让人回想起格列柯色调的高强度。
  5. the dry winged fruit of an ash, maple, or sycamore, typically growing in bunches; a samara
    （岑树、枫树或无花果树的）翼果
  6. the part of a first coat of wall plaster that passes between the laths and so secures the rest
    板条间首层灰泥
    ■[in sing]the roughness of a surface, helping the adhesion of plaster or other material
    （有助于石膏等黏附的）粗糙表面
  7. (Basketball)the keyhole-shaped area marked on the court near each basket
    (篮球)罚球区
adjective
  1. of paramount or crucial importance
    关键的，重要的
    she became a key figure in the suffragette movement.
    她成为妇女参政运动中的关键人物。
(-eys, -eyed)
[with obj.]
  1. enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard
    用计算机键盘输入（或操作）（数据）
    she keyed in a series of commands.
    她键入了一系列命令。
    [no obj.]a hacker caused considerable disruption after keying into a vital database.
    一名黑客进入一个重要数据库后造成了巨大的破坏。
  2. [with obj. and adverbial](一般作 be keyed)fasten (something) in position with a pin, wedge, or bolt
    用别针（或楔子，栓）固定
    the coils may be keyed into the slots by fibre wedges.
    线圈可以用纤维楔固定在槽中。
    ■(key something to)make something fit in with or be linked to
    使符合，使相关
    this optimism is keyed to the possibility that the US might lead in the research field.
    这种乐观与美国领先该研究领域的可能性相关。
    ■(key someone/thing into/in with)cause someone or something to be in harmony with
    使和谐
    to those who are keyed into his lunatic sense of humour, the arrival of any Bergman movie is a major comic event.
    对于那些喜欢他那种疯狂幽默感的人们来说，伯格曼推出的任何一场电影都是重大的喜剧事件。
  3. roughen (a surface) to help the adhesion of plaster or other material
    （为便于黏附）将（表面）弄粗糙
  4. word (an advertisement in a particular periodical), typically by varying the form of the address given, so as to identify the publication generating particular responses
    （为便于确定对广告的反应程度而）把索引标号加在（广告）上
  5. (N. Amer. informal)be the crucial factor in achieving
    (北美，非正式)成为获得…的关键要素
    Ewing keyed a 73–35 advantage on the boards with twenty rebounds.
    埃文以20个篮板球成为保持73比35优势的关键因素。
  6. (informal)vandalize (a car) by scraping its paint with a key
    (非正式)用钥匙刮漆破坏（汽车）；用钥匙刮划（汽车）的表漆
常用词组
in (或 out of) key
  1. in (or out of) harmony
    （不）协调
    this vaguely uplifting conclusion is out of key with the body of his book.
    这个令人糊里糊涂地振奋的结论与该书的主体不协调。
under lock and key
  1. 见 lock
派生
keyed
adjective
keyer
noun
keyless
adjective
语源
  1. Old English cæg, cæge, of unknown origin
继承用法
key someone up
  1. (一般作 be keyed up)make someone nervous, tense, or excited, especially before an important event
    （尤指在重要事件前）使紧张，使兴奋
key2
noun
  1. a low-lying island or reef, especially in the Caribbean
    （尤指加勒比海中的）低岛，礁。 比较 cay
语源
  1. late 17th cent.: from Spanish cayo 'shoal, reef', influenced by quay
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