key
5
8.4
- noun
- /ki/
- The key at the top of the arch holds the entire structure together, ensuring its stability.
Examples
-
The Cardinal's right-hand man, he's being groomed for a bishopric and the keys to the archdiocese.
Blog text (25) -
The unhelpful text for prima clavis, or the first key, reads, "Let the diadem of the king be of pure gold, and let the queen that is united to him in wedlock be chaste and immaculate....
Academic text (2004) -
Well, what there is back in the day, there would be a key at each of those five points.
-
Speaking of keys, what's the key part of an arch?
-
He says, "It was right here on the end of this key!"
-
IRS officials suggest rattling cell door keys in front of them.
Academic text (2003) -
The test's answer key, which was used to grade the participants' responses, was provided by a panel of expert comedians.
Blog text (12) -
I had nearly unlocked the final key of the Mysteriorum Libri Quinque.
-
In ancient architecture, the key block is essential for the integrity of the vault above.
-
Without the key stone in the arch, the entire construction would likely collapse.
Synonyms
2
7.2
A central stone at the top of an arch that holds it in place
1
6.4
The middle stone at the top of an arch that holds it together
1
6.8
A stone placed on the top of a wall or building to finish and protect it
1
9.9
A shaped stone placed at the top of an arch to hold it together
The central stone at the top of an arch that holds other stones
Idioms
Compounds
- Specialized
1
3.6
A key on Apple keyboards that you press with other keys to use shortcuts
- Archaic
1
7.7
A small lever device used to send messages as dots and dashes by making and breaking an electric circuit
- Specialized
1
2.8
A key on a computer keyboard that you press with other keys to do special actions
- Specialized
1
2.3
A key on a keyboard that moves the cursor to the right to indent or align text
- Archaic
1
9.0
A small metal key with a square hole used to wind old pocket devices that tell time
- Specialized
1
7.5
A secret password that lets someone get into many accounts or systems
- Specialized
1
5.5
A set of sharps or flats at the start of written music showing its key
1
7.1
A repeating decorative border made from one continuous line that forms square corners
- Specialized
1
4.1
A secure place on a computer that stores passwords and secret codes for apps and the system
1
6.7
A repeated decorative border of straight lines that turn in square corners, often on vases and buildings
- Specialized
A winged fruit from maple or ash trees with one seed that spins as it falls
- Specialized
A small metal tool with a six-sided end for turning screws with a matching hole
- Specialized
A small metal tool with a six-sided tip that turns screws with a six-sided hole in the head
Surface Forms
Etymology
The key in an arch (keystone) is the stone that locks the others in place, named from the same idea of a key as that which 'locks' or 'holds together'.