key

noun

开锁工具 tool for lock

1. 钥匙
   a specially shaped piece of metal used for locking a door, starting a car, etc.
   1. to insert/turn the key in the lock
      把钥匙插入锁孔；转动锁孔中的钥匙
   2. the car keys
      汽车钥匙
   3. a bunch of keys
      一串钥匙
   4. the spare key to the front door
      前门备用钥匙
   5. We'll have a duplicate key cut (= made) .
      我们会配一把钥匙。

最重要的事 most important thing

2. 关键；要诀
   a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve sth
   1. The key to success is preparation.
      成功的关键是准备。
   2. 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。
   3. 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？

计算机 on computer

3. （计算机或打字机的）键
   any of the buttons that you press to operate a computer or typewriter
   1. Press the return key to enter the information.
      按回车键录入信息。

乐器 on musical instrument

4. （钢琴或其他乐器的）键
   any of the wooden or metal parts that you press to play a piano and some other musical instruments

音乐 music

5. 调
   a set of related notes, based on a particular note. Pieces of music are usually written mainly using a particular key.
   1. a sonata in the key of E flat major
      一首降E大调奏鸣曲

答案 answers

6. 答案；题解
   a set of answers to exercises or problems
   1. Check your answers in the key at the back of the book.
      用书后的解答核对答案。

地图 on map

7. （地图或平面图的）符号说明，图例
   an explanation of the symbols used on a map or plan

verb

1. 用键盘输入；键入
   to put information into a computer using a keyboard
   1. Key (in) your password.
      用键盘输入密码。
2. 用钥匙划坏（汽车）
   to deliberately damage a car by scratching it with a key

adj.

1. 最重要的；主要的；关键的
   most important; essential
   1. the key issue/factor/point
      关键问题 / 因素；要点
   2. He was a key figure in the campaign.
      他是这场运动的关键人物。
   3. She played a key role in the dispute.
      她在争论中起着举足轻重的作用。
   4. ‘Caution’ is the key word in this situation.
      在此情形之下，caution为关键词。
   5. Good communication is key to our success.
      良好的沟通是我们成功的关键。
   6. His contribution could be key.
      他的贡献可能是最重要的。

1. N-COUNT 钥匙
   A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle.
   1. They put the key in the door and entered...
      他们用钥匙打开门进去了。
   2. She reached for her coat and car keys.
      她伸手拿外套和汽车钥匙。
2. （计算机或打字机的）键
   The keys on a computer keyboard or typewriter are the buttons that you press in order to operate it.
3. （钢琴或风琴的）键
   The keys of a piano or organ are the long narrow pieces of wood or plastic that you press in order to play it.
4. N-VAR （音乐的）调
   In music, a key is a scale of musical notes that starts on one specific note.
   1. ...the key of A minor.
      A小调
5. N-COUNT （地图、图解或科技书籍的）略语表，符号表，凡例
   The key on a map or diagram or in a technical book is a list of the symbols or abbreviations used and their meanings.
   1. You will find a key at the front of the book.
      你会在书的前面找到略语表。
6. ADJ 最重要的；关键的
   The key person or thing in a group is the most important one.
   1. He is expected to be the key witness at the trial...
      他将成为审判的关键证人。
   2. 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。
7. N-COUNT 关键；要诀
   The key to a desirable situation or result is the way in which it can be achieved.
   1. 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。
   2. 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。
8. See also: master key

1. Scientists provided the key to understanding the genetic code that determines every bodily feature.
   科学家们找到了限免决定各种身体特征的遗传密码的密钥。
2. The cabinet comes with locks and key and is shaped like a cube.
   储藏柜带有锁和钥匙，形状像个立方体。
3. The exchange of prisoners of war was one of the key elements of the UN's peace plan.
   交换战俘是联合国和平计划的一个重要部分。
4. 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。
5. They believe that a fundamental change in the governance of Britain is the key to all other necessary changes.
   他们认为从根本上改变英国的统治方式是促成其他所有必要变革的关键所在。
6. That key will come in handy if you lock yourself out
   要是你把自己锁在了屋外，那把钥匙就派上用场了。
7. All macros can be set to run when a hot key is pressed.
   所有宏的运行都可以设定为热键操作。
8. A key issue for higher education in the 1990's is the need for greater diversity of courses
   20世纪90年代，高等教育的一个重要议题是要使课程更加多样化。
9. They put the key in the door and entered
   他们用钥匙打开门进去了。
10. She reached for her coat and car keys.
    她伸手拿外套和汽车钥匙。
11. You will find a key at the front of the book.
    你会在书的前面找到略语表。
12. He is expected to be the key witness at the trial
    他将成为审判的关键证人。
13. 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。
14. 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。
15. 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。
16. In the light of this information it is now possible to identify a number of key issues.
    根据这一信息，现在有可能弄清楚几个关键问题了。
17. The key focus of the marketing mix will be on price and distribution.
    营销组合的重点将放在价格与配送上。
18. I took the key for the room off a rack above her head
    我从她头上方的架子上拿走了房门钥匙。
19. A key task is to get pupils to perceive for themselves the relationship between success and effort
    关键任务是让学生们自己认识到成功和努力之间的关系。
20. He will play a key background role in government policy-making.
    他将在政府的政策制定上起至关重要的幕后作用。
21. The files are now in a safe to which only he has the key.
    文件目前放在一个只有他才能打开的保险柜里。
22. I selected a file and pressed the Delete key.
    我选定了一个文件，按下了删除键。
23. I heard the key turn in the front door and I was out of bed like a shot
    听到钥匙在开前门的声音，我立即从床上起来了。
24. He could have taken a spare key
    他本该带上一把备用钥匙的。
25. Nearly all of the young people interviewed believed that work was the key to success.
    几乎所有被采访的年轻人都认为工作是成功的关键。
26. Education and training is the key that will unlock our nation's potential.
    教育和培训是发掘我们国家潜力的关键。
27. What key events influenced the energy situation in 1979?
    是哪些关键性事件影响了1979年的能源状况？
28. The key has stuck in the lock.
    钥匙卡在锁里了。
29. Take grain as the key link, develop a diversified economy and ensure an all-round development.
    以粮为纲，多种经营，全面发展。
30. Oh, no! I've forgotten my key again.
    真该死！我又忘了带钥匙了。

  key answer solution【导航词义：答案】

  key n. 答案，题解

〔辨析〕主要指习题、难题等的答案。

  answer n. 答案

〔辨析〕指试题、竞赛题等的答案，也可指某一问题的解决办法。

  solution n. 解决方法

〔辨析〕指解决问题、难题的办法，也可指练习题、竞赛题等的答案，常可与 answer 换用。

  vital critical key【导航词义：重要的】

  vital adj. 极其重要的，必不可少的

〔辨析〕语气较强，指对于某人或某事成功或继续存在是至关重要的。

  critical adj. 紧要的，关键性的

〔辨析〕指对将来发生的事而言十分重要的。

  key adj. 关键的，至关重要的

〔辨析〕指作用十分重要或不能缺少的。

key sb/sth to sth

1. 使某人（或某事）适合于某事
   to make sb/sth suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose

n.

(keep sth/put sth/be) under lock and key

• 把…安全地锁起来；在押；被囚禁
  locked up safely somewhere; in prison
  1. We keep our valuables under lock and key.
     我们把贵重物品锁起来收好了。
  2. I will not rest until the murderer is under lock and key.
     杀人凶手一天不关起来我一天不罢休。

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

2. a lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed

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

   Synonym:    keystoneheadstone

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

   Synonym:    winder

5. pitch of the voice
   1. he spoke in a low key

6. something crucial for explaining
   1. the key to development is economic integration

7. a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access
   1. a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it

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

9. a list of answers to a test
   1. some students had stolen the key to the final exam

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

    Synonym:    tonality

11. (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court
    1. he hit a jump shot from the top of the key
    2. he dominates play in the paint

    Synonym:    paint

12. a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida

    Synonym:    cayFlorida key

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

    Synonym:    samarakey fruit

14. a kilogram of a narcotic drug
    1. they were carrying two keys of heroin

verb

1. harmonize with or adjust to
   1. key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude

2. regulate the musical pitch of

3. identify as in botany or biology, for example

   Synonym:    identifydiscoverkey outdistinguishdescribename

4. vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key
   1. His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot

5. provide with a key
   1. We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building

adj

1. serving as an essential component
   1. a cardinal rule
   2. the central cause of the problem
   3. an example that was fundamental to the argument
   4. computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure

   Synonym:    cardinalcentralfundamentalprimal