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key

key

1 8.4
The central stone at the top of an arch that locks it together
  • noun
  • /ki/
translation icon : clave
  • 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?

    Crutch (2004)

  • He says, "It was right here on the end of this key!"

    Blaze (2018)

  • 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.

    Nosferatu (2024)

  • 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

keystone
vskey
1 7.2

A central stone at the top of an arch that holds it in place

is the same structural stone but used as the standard architectural term
capstone
vskey
1 6.8

A stone placed on the top of a wall or building to finish and protect it

means the specific wedge stone that locks an arch not any top piece
headstone
vskey
  • Specialized
1 6.4

The middle stone at the top of an arch that holds it together

focuses on wedge shape that locks an arch rather than general support
quoin
vskey
  • Archaic
9.9

The central stone at the top of an arch that holds other stones

is the canonical architectural word for that same locking stone
coign
vskey
  • Archaic
9.9

A shaped stone placed at the top of an arch to hold it together

is the standard term for the same wedge-shaped locking stone

Idioms

the key to
228 2.8

The main thing that makes something succeed or work

under lock and key
16 3.0

Kept in a locked place so people cannot take it

to throw away the key
  • Informal
12 8.8

Put someone in prison for life with no hope of release

to lock him up and throw away the key
  • Informal
2 9.5

Put someone in prison and never let them out

out of key
1 5.8

Not singing or playing the right musical notes

in a minor key
  • Specialized
1 6.6

Music that uses notes that make the song sound sad or serious

key to combating
3.9

An important thing or action that helps deal with a problem

to lock up and toss the key
  • Informal
9.3

Put someone in prison and never let them leave

moderation is key
4.2

Avoid extremes and do things in a balanced way

timing is key
4.2

Doing something at the right moment is important for success

Compounds

key point
43 3.1

A main idea in a talk or report

key issues
42 2.3

The main problems in a discussion or situation

key player
40 3.2

An important person who helps decide what happens in a group

key role
33 3.6

An important part of a process, event, or group

key ingredient
12 3.5

The most important part of something, often in a recipe or plan

off-key
12 4.5

A voice or instrument that sounds in the wrong pitch

key figure
12 3.8

An important person who plays the main role in a group or event

key lime
  • US
11 3.0

A small round yellow-green lime with a very tart taste used in desserts

key ring
6 1.0

A small metal ring that holds keys together

key evidence
5 3.7

Important proof that helps decide a legal case or argument

key word
4 3.5

An important word used to find a text in a search

master key
4 3.4

A key that opens many different locks in a building

minor key
2 5.9

A set of notes that sounds sad or serious

ignition key
2 2.3

A metal key used to start a car engine

shift key
1 2.7

A key on a keyboard that makes letters capital and types other characters

key fob
1 3.8

A small electronic device on a key ring that opens doors or starts a car

key word
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A word that unlocks a secret message

church key
  • Archaic
1 8.7

A small metal tool for making holes to open cans

command key
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A key on Apple keyboards that you press with other keys to use shortcuts

backspace key
1 2.6

A key on a keyboard that deletes the letter or number before the cursor

Florida key
  • US
1 4.7

A small low island of coral or limestone off the southern coast of Florida

key ring
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A secure place on a computer that stores passwords and secret codes for apps and the system

major key
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A set of musical notes that sounds bright and happy

hex key
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A small L-shaped tool used to turn screws with a six-sided hole

return key
1 2.1

A key on a keyboard that moves the cursor to a new line or starts a new command

tab key
  • Specialized
1 2.3

A key on a keyboard that moves the cursor to the right to indent or align text

telegraph key
  • Archaic
1 7.7

A small lever device used to send messages as dots and dashes by making and breaking an electric circuit

skeleton key
1 6.7

A metal tool that opens many similar locks by having most teeth cut away

control key
  • Specialized
2.8

A key on a computer keyboard that you press with other keys to do special actions

Allen key
  • UK
4.7

A small L-shaped metal tool used to turn bolts and screws with six-sided holes

ash-key
  • Specialized
9.9

A seed with a thin wing from an ash tree that the wind carries

key fob
3.6

A small thing on a key ring that makes keys easier to find

key fruit
  • Specialized
9.3

A winged fruit from maple or ash trees with one seed that spins as it falls

key signature
  • Specialized
5.5

A set of sharps or flats at the start of written music showing its key

key signature
  • Specialized
8.1

A digital mark added to a public key to show who owns it

key staging post
6.7

An important stop that helps people or goods move forward

key in
3.2

An act of typing information into a computer or device

key of the street
  • Slang
9.9

Useful knowledge needed to survive and fit into street life

key palm
  • US
7.2

A small fan-shaped tree that grows in southern Florida and Cuba

key pattern
6.7

A repeated decorative border of straight lines that turn in square corners, often on vases and buildings

master key
  • Specialized
4.2

A secret code that lets you open many protected files or services

Greek key
7.1

A repeating decorative border made from one continuous line that forms square corners

home key
  • Specialized
6.8

The main set of notes a piece of music returns to

Inbus key
  • Specialized
9.0

A small metal tool with a six-sided end for turning screws with a matching hole

nut key
  • Jargon
8.9

A small tool climbers use to pull metal pieces from cracks in rock

screw key
  • Specialized
5.5

A small tool that fits into a screw head to turn it

tonic key
  • Specialized
8.1

The main note and scale that a piece of music returns to

skeleton key
  • Specialized
7.5

A secret password that lets someone get into many accounts or systems

Unbrako key
  • Specialized
7.4

A small metal tool with a six-sided tip that turns screws with a six-sided hole in the head

watch key
  • Archaic
9.0

A small metal key with a square hole used to wind old pocket devices that tell time

Surface Forms

key singular
keys plural

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'.