ignition key
2
2.3
- noun
- /ɪɡˈnɪʃən ki/
:
llave de encendido
- "Pamela turns the ignition key three times, the motor hums, the bus coughs black smoke, and lurches reluctantly forward."
- turn the ignition key
- insert the ignition key
- ignition key to start
Examples
-
Warren held up an ignition key.
Fiction book (1999) -
"I leaned into the car and turned off the ignition key."
Fiction book (1994) -
Okay?" He turned the ignition key and started the motor.
Fiction book (2001) -
The ignition key was shining there on the floorboard.
Fiction book (1990) -
The ignition key was worn smooth, but when he turned it, the car cranked twice and fired to life.
Fiction book (2001) -
Reaching over, he turns the ignition key and the hum of the motor dies.
Fiction book (1998) -
She paused with her hand on the ignition key, and then she saw him.
Fiction book (1990) -
Terminator gets into the Bronco, turns the ignition key, and the engine catches with a roar.
Fiction book (1991) -
Larry instinctively reaches for the ignition key, starts the engine, drops the ambulance into gear, hits the lights, jerks the EMS bus away, still half asleep.
Fiction book (1999) -
He inserted the ignition key into the slot and turned it to start the car.
Synonyms
1
3.8
A small electronic device on a key ring that opens doors or starts a car
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'ignition' (the system that starts an engine) with 'key' (a metal instrument used to operate locks), so a learner who knows both words will understand it denotes the key used to operate the ignition. This noun–noun composition is transparent and cross-linguistically common, making the expression predictable for B1 learners.
Etymology
Ignition key comes from the word ignition, meaning 'to make fire', and the key that turns a switch. In early cars a key turned a device that made a spark or small flame to 'start' the 'engine', so today the phrase means the key used to start a vehicle.