名詞 key:

1. 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
3. pitch of the voice
4. any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
   同義詞：tonality
5. a kilogram of a narcotic drug
6. a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
   同義詞：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)
   同義詞：Francis Scott Key
8. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
   同義詞：cay, Florida key
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
   同義詞：paint
10. a list of answers to a test
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
13. mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
    同義詞：winder
14. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
    同義詞：keystone, headstone
15. a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed

動詞 key:

1. identify as in botany or biology, for example
   同義詞：identify, discover, key out, distinguish, describe, name
2. provide with a key
3. vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key
4. regulate the musical pitch of
5. harmonize with or adjust to

形容詞 key:

1. serving as an essential component
   同義詞：cardinal, central, fundamental, primal
2. effective; producing a desired effect
   同義詞：operative

1. Gently sand the plastic to provide a key for the paint.
   用砂紙在塑料上輕輕打磨出粗糙面以便涂顏料。
2. She keyed in all the new data.
   她鍵入了所有的新數(shù)據(jù)。
3. He put the key in the lock and turned it.
   他把鑰匙插入鎖里轉(zhuǎn)動。
4. Do you know the key to the problem?
   你知道這道題的答案嗎？
5. He is a key witness in this case.
   在這個案件中，他是一個主要見證人。

key

n.（名詞）
【復(fù)數(shù)】 keys

A notched and grooved, usually metal implement that is turned to open or close a lock.
鑰匙：有溝槽的一種金屬工具，用于開或鎖住鎖
A similar device used for opening or winding:
鑰匙：用于開或旋轉(zhuǎn)的類似裝置：
例句：
the key of a clock; a can that has a key attached.
鬧鐘上發(fā)條的鑰匙；配有鑰匙的罐頭

A means of access, control, or possession.
手段：到達(dá)、控制或占有的方法

A vital, crucial element.
關(guān)鍵：至關(guān)重要的基本成分
A set of answers to a test.
答案：試題的解答
A table, gloss, or cipher for decoding or interpreting.
密碼本、索引：用于破譯或解釋的表格、詞表或索引
A device, such as a wedge or pin, inserted to lock together mechanical or structural parts.
楔、栓：象楔、栓一樣的一種裝置，插入以使機械或結(jié)構(gòu)部件鎖在一起
Architecture The keystone in the crown of an arch.
【建筑學(xué)】 拱頂石：位于拱頂?shù)娜p石

A button or lever that is pressed with the finger to operate a machine.
鍵：手指觸壓用來操作機器的按鈕或桿
Music A button or lever that is pressed with the finger to produce or modulate the sound of an instrument, such as a clarinet or piano.
【音樂】 鍵：用手指觸壓以產(chǎn)生或調(diào)節(jié)樂器（如單簧管、鋼琴）的聲音
Music
【音樂】
A tonal system consisting of seven tones in fixed relationship to a tonic, having a characteristic key signature and being since the Renaissance the structural foundation of the bulk of Western music; tonality.
調(diào)、主音：包括七個與主音有固定關(guān)系的音色的調(diào)音系統(tǒng)，有獨特的調(diào)號，自文藝復(fù)興以來一直是西方音樂主體的結(jié)構(gòu)基礎(chǔ)；調(diào)性
The principal tonality of a work:
調(diào)子：主要調(diào)性：
例句：
an etude in the key of E.
E大調(diào)練習(xí)曲

The pitch of a voice or other sound.
聲高：嗓音或其他聲音的音高
A characteristic tone or level of intensity, as of a speech or sales campaign. Often used in combination:
基調(diào)：演講或銷售競賽的特色性調(diào)子或激烈程度，常用于復(fù)合詞：
例句：
high-key; low-key.
高調(diào)；低調(diào)

Botany The key fruit.
【植物學(xué)】 翅果
An outline of the distinguishing characteristics of a group of organisms, used as a guide in taxonomic identification.
檢表：一組生物的明顯特征的概括，用于指導(dǎo)分類檢查
Basketball An area at each end of the court between the base line and the foul line and including the jump-ball circle at the foul line:
【籃球】 罰球區(qū)：球場兩邊的一區(qū)，位于底線和罰球線之間，包括罰球線上的跑球圈：
例句：
a jump shot from the top of the key.
從罰球場邊的跳投

adj.（形容詞）
Of crucial importance; significant:
關(guān)鍵的；意義重大的：
例句：
key decisions; the key element of the thesis.
意義重大的結(jié)論；論文的中心成分

v.tr.（及物動詞）
keyed,key.ing,keys
To lock with or as if with a key.
用或好象用鑰匙鎖
Architecture To furnish (an arch) with a keystone.
【建筑學(xué)】 用拱頂石裝飾（拱頂）
Music To regulate the pitch of.
【音樂】 為…調(diào)音
To bring into harmony; adjust or adapt.
使和諧；調(diào)節(jié)或使適應(yīng)
To supply an explanatory key for.
為…提供解答

To operate (a device), as for typesetting by means of a keyboard.
用鍵盤操作：操作（一個裝置），如用鍵盤排字時
To enter (data) into a computer by means of a keyboard.
鍵入：用鍵盤把（信息）輸入計算機
To identify (a biological specimen).
鑒別（一個生物種類）

<常用詞組>key up
To make intense, excited, or nervous.
使…熱切、興奮或緊張
<習(xí)慣用語>in key
In consonance with other factors.
與其他要素相協(xié)調(diào)
out of key
Not in consonance with other factors.
與其他要素不協(xié)調(diào)
來源：
Middle English kai, kei
中古英語 kai, kei
from Old English côg
源自 古英語 côg

key
key 2

n.（名詞）
【復(fù)數(shù)】 keys
A low offshore island or reef, especially in the Gulf of Mexico; a cay.
礁：（尤指墨西哥灣內(nèi)）海岸以外的低島或礁；珊瑚礁

來源：
Alteration influenced by key variant of quay
受 key的影響 quay的變體
of Spanish cayo * see cay
西班牙語 cayo的變化 *參見 cay

key
key 3

n.（名詞）
【復(fù)數(shù)】 keys 【俚語】
A kilogram of marijuana, cocaine, or heroin.
一公斤：一公斤大麻、可卡因或海洛因

來源：
Shortening and alteration of kilogram
kilogram的簡寫和變化