key

adj. important, significant; fundamental, central; necessary

n. low island located close to a shore

v. lock with a key, fasten with a key; fit, adapt, adjust; tune, adjust the pitch of (Music); supply with an explanatory device; type into a computer by means of a keyboard (Computers)

n. device used to open locks; something which allows entry; something which explains or assists in solving a problem; means to acquire or reach something; legend, list which provides decoding information; button on a keyboard; tone, note, pitch (Music); cay, Florida key, reef located off the southern coast of Florida

KeY is a formal software development tool that aims to integrate design, implementation, formal specification, and formal verification of object-oriented software. It supports programs written in Java (more precisely: in a superset of Java Card) and specifications written in JML or OCL. At the core of the system is a deductive theorem prover. It employs a free variable sequent calculus for first-order dynamic logic for Java Card.
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Key may refer to: TechnologyKey (lock), device used to open a lockChurchkey, various kinds of bottle and can openersKeychain, small chain that connects a small item to a keyringTelegraph key, the button used by a telegraph operatorUnique key, a value which is used to specify a unique row in a database tableKey (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptogaphy algorithmComputer keyboard keys
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Noun
1. United States lawyer and poet who wrote a poem after witnessing the British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812; the poem was later set to music and entitled `The Star-Spangled Banner' (1779-1843)
(synonym) Francis Scott Key
(hypernym) lawyer, attorney

Noun
1. metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
(hypernym) device
(hyponym) ignition key
(part-meronym) shank, stem
2. something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"
(hypernym) explanation
3. pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"
(hypernym) pitch
4. any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
(synonym) tonality
(hypernym) musical notation
(hyponym) major key, major mode
5. a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
(hypernym) kilogram, kg, kilo
(classification) cant, jargon, slang, lingo, argot, patois, vernacular
6. a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple
(synonym) samara, key fruit
(hypernym) achene
7. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
(synonym) cay, Florida keys
(hypernym) coral reef
(part-holonym) Florida, Sunshine State, Everglade State, FL
8. (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court; "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint"
(synonym) paint
(hypernym) space
(part-holonym) basketball court
(part-meronym) foul line
(classification) basketball, basketball game, hoops
9. a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
(hypernym) list, listing
10. a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
(hypernym) list, listing
(hyponym) key word
11. a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access; "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it"
(hypernym) positive identification
12. mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
(synonym) winder
(hypernym) mechanical device
(hyponym) watch key
13. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
(synonym) keystone, headstone
(hypernym) building block
(hyponym) quoin, coign, coigne
(part-holonym) arch
14. a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed
(hypernym) lever
(hyponym) backspace key, backspacer
(member-holonym) keyboard
(part-holonym) action, action mechanism
Verb
1. identify as in botany or biology, for example
(synonym) identify, discover, key out, distinguish, describe, name
(entail) classify, class, sort, assort, sort out, separate
2. provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
(hypernym) supply, provide, render, furnish
3. vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
(hypernym) vandalize, vandalise
4. regulate the musical pitch of
(hypernym) harmonize, harmonise, chord
(classification) music
5. harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"
(hypernym) harmonize, harmonise, reconcile
Adjective
1. serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"
(synonym) cardinal, central, fundamental, primal
(similar) important, of import
2. effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word"
(synonym) operative
(similar) significant, important

(v. t.)
To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.
  

(n.)
The last board of a floor when laid down.
  

(n.)
The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote.
  

(n.)
That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.
  

(n.)
That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte, or of a typewriter.
  

(n.)
That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast, or adjust to position.
  

(n.)
Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.
  

(n.)
An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.
  

(n.)
An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.
  

(n.)
An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit.
  

(n.)
A wedge to unite two or more pieces, or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.
  

(n.)
A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem.
  

(n.)
A piece of wood used as a wedge.
  

(n.)
A keystone.
  

(n.)
A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.
  

(n.)
A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.
  

Information (usually a sequence of random or pseudorandom binary digits) used initially to set up and periodically change the operations performed in crypto-equipment for the purpose of encrypting or decrypting electronic signals, for determining electronic counter-countermeasures patterns (e.g. , frequency hopping or spread spectrum), or for producing other key. Note: "Key" has replaced the terms "variable," "key(ing) variable," and "cryptovariable." [NIS]