英汉词典

key 基本解释

• n. （打字机等的）键；关键；钥匙
• vt. 键入；锁上；调节…的音调；提供线索
• vi. 使用钥匙
• adj. 关键的
• n. (Key)人名；(英)基；(德、荷、瑞典)凯

key 词态变化

key 中文词源

来自古英语caeg,钥匙，可能来自Proto-Germanic*ki,劈开，分开，来自PIE*ke,使锋利，磨，词源同cone,hone.后用于指钥匙，引申词义琴键，键盘，比喻义关键，核心。

key 英文词源

key

key: [OE] The Old English ancestor of key was cǣg. This produced a modern English word which to begin with was pronounced to rhyme with bay, and its present-day pronunciation, rhyming with bee, did not come to the fore until the 18th century. No one knows where the word originally came from; it has no living relatives in other Germanic languages.

key (n.1)

"metal piece that works a lock," from Old English cæg "key," of unknown origin, with no certain cognates other than Old Frisian kei. Perhaps related to Middle Low German keie "lance, spear" on notion of "tool to cleave with," from Proto-Germanic *ki- "to cleaver, split" (cognates: German Keil "wedge," Gothic us-kijans "come forth," said of seed sprouts, keinan "to germinate"). But Liberman writes, "The original meaning of *kaig-jo- was presumably '*pin with a twisted end.' Words with the root *kai- followed by a consonant meaning 'crooked, bent; twisted' are common only in the North Germanic languages." Modern pronunciation is a northern variant predominating from c. 1700; earlier it was often spelled and pronounced kay.

Figurative sense of "that which serves to open or explain" was in Old English; meaning "that which holds together other parts" is from 1520s. As "answer to a test," it is from chess, short for key move, "first move in a solution to a set problem." Musical sense of "tone, note" is 15c., but modern sense of "scale" is 1580s, probably as a translation of Latin clavis or French clef (see clef; also see keynote). Extended c. 1500 to "mechanism on a musical instrument." As a verb meaning "to scratch (a car's paint job) with a key" it is recorded by 1986.

key (n.2)

"low island," 1690s, from Spanish cayo "shoal, reef," from Taino cayo "small island;" spelling influenced by Middle English key "wharf" (c. 1300), from Old French kai "sand bank" (see quay).

key 词组搭配

key 英文释义

1. metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

2. something crucial for explaining;

"the key to development is economic integration"

3. pitch of the voice;

"he spoke in a low key"

4. any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music

5. a kilogram of a narcotic drug;

"they were carrying two keys of heroin"

6. a winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple

7. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida

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"

9. a list of answers to a test;

"some students had stolen the key to the final exam"

10. a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

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"

12. mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)

13. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault

14. a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed

key 双语例句

1. The key issue was whether the four defendants acted dishonestly.

关键问题是4名被告是否存在欺诈行为。

来自柯林斯例句

2. For a beach resort with a difference, try Key West.

如果想去一个与众不同的海滨度假胜地，那就去基韦斯特吧。

来自柯林斯例句

3. He unlocked her door and handed her back the key.

他给她打开门锁，并把钥匙交还给她。

来自柯林斯例句

4. The key to his success is his logical mind.

他成功的关键在于他擅长逻辑思维。

来自柯林斯例句

5. At these conventions, executives fraternized with the key personnel of other banks.

在这些集会上，主管们和其他银行的重要人员友善往来。

来自柯林斯例句

key 实用场景例句

to insert/turn the key in the lock

把钥匙插入锁孔；转动锁孔中的钥匙

牛津词典

the car keys

汽车钥匙

牛津词典

a bunch of keys

一串钥匙

牛津词典

the spare key to the front door

前门备用钥匙

牛津词典

We'll have a duplicate key cut (= made) .

我们会配一把钥匙。

牛津词典

The key to success is preparation.

成功的关键是准备。

牛津词典

The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime.

这位汽车司机很可能掌握破获这一罪案的关键证据。

牛津词典

(especially North American English) The key is , how long can the federal government control the inflation rate?

关键在于联邦政府对通货膨胀率的控制能维持多久？

牛津词典

Press the return key to enter the information.

按回车键录入信息。

牛津词典

a sonata in the key of E flat major

一首降E大调奏鸣曲

牛津词典

Check your answers in the key at the back of the book.

用书后的解答核对答案。

牛津词典

Key (in) your password.

用键盘输入密码。

牛津词典

The classes are keyed to the needs of advanced students.

这些课是针对高年级学生的需要开设的。

牛津词典

the key issue/factor/point

关键问题 / 因素；要点

牛津词典

He was a key figure in the campaign.

他是这场运动的关键人物。

牛津词典

She played a key role in the dispute.

她在争论中起着举足轻重的作用。

牛津词典

‘Caution ’ is the key word in this situation.

在此情形之下，caution为关键词。

牛津词典

Good communication is key to our success.

良好的沟通是我们成功的关键。

牛津词典

His contribution could be key.

他的贡献可能是最重要的。

牛津词典

They put the key in the door and entered...

他们用钥匙打开门进去了。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

She reached for her coat and car keys.

她伸手拿外套和汽车钥匙。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...the key of A minor.

A小调

柯林斯高阶英语词典

You will find a key at the front of the book.

你会在书的前面找到略语表。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He is expected to be the key witness at the trial...

他将成为审判的关键证人。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Education is likely to be a key issue in the next election.

在下届选举中教育可能成为最重要的一个议题。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The key to success is to be ready from the start...

成功的关键在于从一开始就要准备充分。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Diet and relaxation are two important keys to good health.

限制饮食和放松身心是保持健康的两个要诀。

柯林斯高阶英语词典