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Esc

Esc

1 4.3
A key on a keyboard used to stop a program or exit a mode
  • noun
  • /ɛsk/
  • Specialized
: Esc
  • Switch from sidebar to active buffer: Control+0 to switch to the sidebar, ESC to move to the active buffer (in our case, a text file).
  • press Esc
  • Esc to exit
  • Esc key

Examples

  • Once you're done browsing, exit the preview mode by pressing the Esc key on your keyboard.

    Blog text (14)
  • You can safely leave the menu by pressing the Esc key on your computer.

  • To close the image, you can hit Esc or the Space bar.

    Blog text (2)
  • Click the escape (Esc) key to "back out" of this command.

    Academic text (2007)
  • I had to use the Escape (Esc) key to get it to quit running.

    Blog text (24)
  • Also, hitting ESC works, too, if you want to use a keyboard shortcut.

    Blog text (15)
  • Use the arrow keys to move and the spacebar to interact, hitting X or ESC to open your status screen and inventory.

    Blog text (17)
  • To exit the full-screen mode, simply press the Esc key on your keyboard.

  • Whenever you need to cancel an action, just hit the Esc key.

Surface Forms

Esc singular
Escs plural

Etymology

The word Esc comes from escape, which means 'to get away' or 'leave'. The key works like a quick way to 'get out' of a program or to cancel an action.