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Glite Dictionary
to key out

to key out

8.4
Find the name of a plant or animal using a guide
  • phrasal verb
  • Jargon
translation icon : identificar
  • We spent the afternoon keying out insects under the supervision of our biology professor.

Examples

  • The students were able to key out the plant species using the field guide.

  • I will key out the plant species.

  • She carefully keyed out the mushroom to ensure it was safe to eat.

  • Can you key out this animal for me?

  • In the field, we spent hours keying out the various plants we encountered along the trail.

  • The students learned how to key out different species of birds using a dichotomous key.

  • Using the guidebook, she was able to easily key out the plants in her garden.

Synonyms

to identify
vsto key out
∞ 1.8

Say who someone is or what something is

uses a structured biological decision tool rather than general recognition
to pick out
vsto key out
64 3.0

Notice a sound or sight among other things

involves systematic identification with a decision tool not simple sensory spotting
to key
vsto key out
  • Specialized
4 8.0

To identify a plant or animal using steps in a guide

focuses more on using a dichotomous tool for biological identification

Surface Forms

key out infinitive
keyed out past
keyed out past participle
keying out present participle
keys out third person singular

Morphology

key + out

The overall meaning is based on the verb 'key' (to identify using a systematic key) plus a particle sense of completion or making identification explicit, so a learner who knows the specialized verb sense could infer the phrase. However, 'key' as a verb is technical and rare and the contribution of 'out' here is somewhat idiomatic/particle-like rather than a fully regular compositional pattern, so the sense is not completely transparent to a general B1 learner.

Etymology

The verb key out comes from the idea of a key, a simple guide with choices you follow step by step, and out meaning 'reach the answer'. When you key out a plant or insect you follow the choices until you reach the name, so key out means 'to identify' the species.