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Meaning of key
The primary meaning of the word "key" is an object used to operate a lock, or a means of accessing, understanding, or explaining something.
Etymology of key
The word "key" has its roots in Old English "cǣg", which referred to a wedge or a fastener, and is related to the Old Norse "kæja" and the German "Keil", also meaning wedge or fastener
The word's meaning expanded over time to include the concept of a device used to operate a lock, and later to more abstract concepts such as a means of understanding or accessing something
Synonyms
Definitions
- A small device used to operate a lock, typically by turning to move a bolt or other mechanism
- A means of accessing or understanding something, such as a code, a problem, or a situation
- A crucial or decisive factor in a situation or process
- A symbol or character used to represent a musical note or a typographical symbol
Usage Examples
- The key to the door was hidden under the mat
- She found the key to solving the puzzle after hours of trial and error
- The new policy is the key to improving the company's financial situation
- The musician pressed the key on the keyboard to play the correct note