| noun | metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated |
| noun | something crucial for explaining “the key to development is economic integration” |
| noun | pitch of the voice “he spoke in a low key” |
| noun | any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music |
| noun | a kilogram of a narcotic drug “they were carrying two keys of heroin” |
| noun | a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple |
| noun | 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) |
| noun | a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida |
| noun | (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” |
| noun | a list of answers to a test “some students had stolen the key to the final exam” |
| noun | a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations |
| noun | 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” |
| noun | mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock) |
| noun | the central building block at the top of an arch or vault |
| noun | a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed |
| verb | identify as in botany or biology, for example |
| verb | provide with a key “We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building” |
| verb | vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key “His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot” |
| verb | regulate the musical pitch of |
| verb | harmonize with or adjust to “key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude” |
| adjective | serving as an essential component “a cardinal rule” |
| key | verb | vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key |
| tonal | adjective | having tonality; i.e. tones and chords organized in relation to one tone such as a keynote or tonic |
| wind | verb | coil the spring of (some mechanical device) by turning a stem |
| identifiable | adjective | capable of being identified |
| identification | noun | the act of designating or identifying something |
| identity | noun | the individual characteristics by which a thing or person is recognized or known |
| name | noun | a language unit by which a person or thing is known |
| naming | noun | the verbal act of naming |
| key | noun | metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated |
| center | noun | the object upon which interest and attention focuses |