| [/kiː; ki/] n 用法:
1 [C] metal instrument shaped so that it will move the bolt of a lock (and so lock or unlock sth) 钥匙:
turn the key in the lock 转动锁孔中的钥匙 *
the car keys 汽车钥匙 *
the key to the front door 前门的钥匙 *
have a duplicate key cut, ie made 配钥匙. =>illus 见插图. 用法:
2 [C] similar instrument for grasping and turning sth, eg for winding a clock 类似钥匙的器具（如上钟表发条用的）:
Where's the key for turning off the radiator? 关散热器的开关在哪里? 用法:
3 [C] (a) (music 音) set of related notes, based on a particular note, and forming the basis of (part of) a piece of music 调:
a sonata in the key of E flat major/A minor 一首降E大调[A小调]奏鸣曲 *
This piece changes key many times. 这首曲子有多处变调.
(b) (fig 比喻) general tone or style of sth （事 物的）基调, 调子, 调门儿:
Her speech was all in the same key, ie monotonous. 她的演说自始至终是一个调子（单调乏味）. 用法:
4 [C] any of the set of levers that are pressed by the fingers to operate a typewriter, piano, etc （打字机、 钢琴等的）键. =>illus at App 1 见附录1插图, pages x, xi. 用法:
5 [C] (a) set of answers to exercises or problems 题解; 答案:
a book of language tests, complete with key 附答案的语言测验试题集.
(b) explanation of the symbols used in a coded message or on a map, diagram, etc （地图、 图表等上的）略语表, 符号表, 凡例, 图例. 用法:
6 [C usu sing 通常作单数] ~ (to sth) thing that provides access, control or understanding 关键; 要诀:
Diet and exercise are the key (to good health). 吃固定食物、 做运动是（身体健康的）关键. *
The key to the whole affair was his jealousy. 整个事情的症结是因为他忌妒. 用法:
7 [sing] roughness given to a surface so that plaster or paint will stick to it （助灰浆或颜料附著的）粗糙表面:
Gently sand the plastic to provide a key for the paint. 用砂纸在塑料上轻轻打磨出粗糙面以便涂颜料. 用法:
8 [C] (botany 植) winged fruit of some trees, eg the ash and elm 翅果（如 、 榆等树的果实）. =>illus at App 1 见附录1插图, page i. 用法:
9 (idm 习语) under lock and key => lock2. key 2
adj [attrib 作定语] very important or essential 极重要的; 关键性的:
a key figure in the dispute 争论中的关键人物 *
a key industry, speech, position 重要的工业、 讲话、 位置. key 3
[/kiː; ki/] v 用法:
1 [Tn, Tn.p] ~ sth (in) (computing 计) type in (data) using a keyboard 用键盘输入（数据）:
I've keyed this sentence (in) three times, and it's still wrong!我把这个句子输入了三次, 可是仍然不对! 用法:
2 [Tn] roughen (a surface) so that plaster or paint will stick to it 将（表面）弄粗糙（以便附著灰浆或颜料）. 用法:
3 (phr v) key sth to sth (a) make sth similar to sth else 使某事物与他事物相似:
She keyed her mood to that of the other guests. 她控制住情绪使之与其他客人一致.
(b) make sth suitable for sth else 使某事物与他事物相适应:
The farm was keyed to the needs of the local people. 农场按当地人的需要作了调整. key sb up (usu passive 通常用於被动语态) make sb excited, nervous or tense 使某人激动或紧张:
The manager warned us not to get too keyed up before the big match. 领队告诫我们在大赛之前不要太激动. |