key

A coral reef off the southern coast of Florida.

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”

A kilogram of a narcotic drug.

“they were carrying two keys of heroin”

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

A list of answers to a test.

“some students had stolen the key to the final exam”

A list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations.

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

Pitch of the voice.

“he spoke in a low key”

Something crucial for explaining.

“the key to development is economic integration”

(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”

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

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).

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

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

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

Harmonize with or adjust to.

“key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude”

Provide with a key.

“We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building”

Regulate the musical pitch of.

Identify as in botany or biology, for example.

Vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key.

“His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot”

Serving as an essential component.