key

IPA(Pronunciation)

/kiː/

Verb

colloquial intransitive transitive

To fit (a lock) with a key. / To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them. / To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.

Japanese Meaning

（錠前に）鍵で施錠する、または鍵を差し込むこと。 / （機械部品などを組み合わせる際に）向きを固定するためにキー（溝や突起）を用いること。 / （記号などを用いて）分類や所属を示す、識別を行うこと。

What is this buttons?

Please key the lock on the toolbox before you hand it over.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

渡す前に工具箱の錠を適切な鍵ではめてください。

Details

Sense（1）

To fit (a lock) with a key.

Sense（2）

To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them.

Sense（3）

To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（4）

(telegraphy and radio telegraphy) To depress (a telegraph key).

Sense（5）

(radio) To operate (the transmitter switch of a two-way radio).

Sense（6）

(computing) (more usually to key in) To enter (information) by typing on a keyboard or keypad.

Our instructor told us to key in our user IDs.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（7）

(colloquial) To vandalize (a car, etc.) by scratching with an implement such as a key.

He keyed the car that had taken his parking spot.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（8）

To link (as one might do with a key or legend).

The American Heart Association has prepared their own guide to classification and, keying it with the Standard Nomenclature of Diseases, have done much to encourage a concise yet complete diagnosis.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（9）

(intransitive, biology, chiefly taxonomy) To be identified as a certain taxon when using a key.

Sense（10）

(advertising, transitive) To modify (an advertisement) so as to target a particular group or demographic.

Keying advertisements and counting the number of inquiries received or the number of coupons returned to indicate the "pulling power" of a particular piece of copy or the coverage of a particular advertising medium.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation