Key
Even native speakers of
English sometimes have trouble with words because of a confusing feature:
multiple meanings. If a word is old enough, it probably will have accumulated
layers of meaning—sometimes astonishingly contradictory.
Richard from Empire,
Michigan, pointed out that such a word is key. The meaning that comes to mind immediately is
the notched metal device used to lock or unlock a door or other barrier. From
there, it becomes a wild ride. Branching meanings include
- spiritual authority (Matthew 16:19)
- a symbol of office
- a symbol of access, as in key to the city
- a means to a desired objective
- a position with strategic advantages
- a bribe or inducement
- a solution or explanation
- a means of decrypting a code or cipher
- the part of a textbook that contains solutions
- a list containing an explanation of symbols,
abbreviations, etc.
- in botany and zoology, descriptive features
used in identification
- an essential element
- in chess, the first move in the solution of
a problem
- a central stone in an arch
- a piece of wood or metal that locks parts
together
- a dry fruit
- an instrument for turning tuning pegs of a
stringed instrument
- an instrument for winding a clock
- a component that opens or closes a valve
- the roughness of a surface that enables
plaster to adhere to it
- the free-throw lane and circle in basketball
- a note or a tone
- the tenor of a piece of writing
- the prevailing tones in a painting
- a lever on a musical instrument
- a lever on a telegraph, computer, etc.
- something of crucial importance
Then there’s the key
that means a low-lying island or reef and the slang use of key that means a
kilogram of an illegal drug,
Now I’m all keyed up.
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
Listen to Mike’s program
in real time every Tuesday morning, 9:10 - 10:00 a.m. EST, by going to
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Ron Jolly Show.
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