词典释义：
a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, and which is placed into a lock and turned to open or close it
钥匙。
a similar implement for operating a switch in the form of a lock, especially one operating the ignition of a motor vehicle
锁状开关的钥匙；（尤指）汽车点火钥匙。
an instrument for grasping and turning a screw, peg, or nut, especially one for winding a clock or turning a valve
（拧螺丝钉、木钉、螺帽，尤指上时钟发条或旋阀门用的）钥匙，扳手。
a pin, bolt, or wedge inserted between other pieces, or fitting into a hole or space designed for it, so as to lock parts together
销子，楔，栓。
one of several buttons on a panel for operating a typewriter, word processor, or computer terminal
（操作打字机、文字处理器或计算机终端的）键。
a lever depressed by the finger in playing an instrument such as the organ, piano, flute, or concertina
琴键。
a lever operating a mechanical device for making or breaking an electric circuit, for example in telegraphy
电键，电钥。
a thing that provides a means of gaining access to or understanding something
（寻求、探索或理解某事物的）关键
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the key to Derek's behaviour may lie submerged in his unhappy past .弄清德里克行为的关键可能隐匿在他不幸的过去中。
an explanatory list of symbols used in a map, table, etc.
（地图、图表等上的）符号表，凡例。
a set of answers to exercises or problems
（练习或问题的）答案。
a word or system for solving a cipher or code
密钥。
the first move in the solution of a chess problem
（下棋的）关键一着。
【计算机】 关键码。
【乐】 调，主调
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the key of E minor .E小调。
the tone or pitch of someone's voice
（人的）声调
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his voice had changed to a lower key .他的声音变得低沉了。
〈喻〉 （文章、形势等）主调，基调
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it was like the sixties all over again, in a new, more austerely intellectual key .在一种新的更加质朴的理性基调中，好像一切都回到了６０年代。
the prevailing range of tones or intensities in a painting
（绘画的）基本色调
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these mauves, lime greens, and saffron yellows recall the high key of El Greco's palette .这些紫红色、石灰绿色和藏红花黄色让人回想起格列柯明快的高色调。
the dry winged fruit of an ash, maple, or sycamore, typically growing in bunches; a samara
（梣树、枫树或无花果树的）翼果。
the part of a first coat of wall plaster that passes between the laths and so secures the rest
板条间首层灰泥。
[in sing.]the roughness of a surface, helping the adhesion of plaster or other material
（有助于石膏等黏附的）粗糙表面。
【篮球】 罚球区。
of paramount or crucial importance
关键的，重要的
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she became a key figure in the suffragette movement .她成为妇女参政运动中的关键人物。
enter or operate on (data) by means of a computer keyboard
用计算机键盘输入（或操作）（数据）
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she keyed in a series of commands 她键入了一系列命令
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[no obj.]
a hacker caused considerable disruption after keying into a vital database .一名黑客进入一个重要数据库后造成了巨大的破坏。
[with obj. and adverbial](一般作
用别针（或楔子，栓）固定
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the coils may be keyed into the slots by fibre wedges .线圈可以用纤维楔固定在槽中。
(
使与…符合（或适合）；使与…关联
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this optimism is keyed to the possibility that the US might lead in the research field .这种乐观情绪与美国可能领先该研究领域的前景正相符合。
(
使（某人或某事）与…共处（或一致）；使… 与… 相安无事
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to those who are keyed into his lunatic sense of humour, the arrival of any Bergman movie is a major comic event .就对那种荒唐的幽默感已经习以为常的人而言，任何一部伯格曼的新片都是一件逗乐的盛事。
roughen (a surface) to help the adhesion of plaster or other material
（为便于黏附灰泥或其他材料）将（表面）弄粗糙。
word (an advertisement in a particular periodical), typically by varying the form of the address given, so as to identify the publication generating particular responses
（为便于确定对某一特定刊物上所登广告的反应程度而）给（广告）加识别编码。
〈北美，非正式〉 成为获得…的关键要素
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Ewing keyed a 73-35 advantage on the boards with twenty rebounds .埃文以２０个篮板球成为保持７３比３５优势的关键因素。
〈非正式〉 用钥匙刮漆破坏（汽车）；用钥匙刮划（汽车）的表漆。
a low-lying island or reef, especially in the Caribbean
（尤指加勒比海中的）低岛，礁。比较<Bold>CAY</Bold>.
John (Phillip) (b.1961), New Zealand National Party statesman, Prime Minister of New Zealand since 2008
基，约翰（·菲利普）（生于１９６１年，新西兰国民党政治家，新西兰总理［２００８年起］）。
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in （或out of ）key in （or out of） harmony（不）协调this vaguely uplifting conclusion is out of key with the body of his book . 这一含糊其辞地鼓舞人心的结尾与该书的主体不协调 -
under lock and key 见LOCK 1 .
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key someone up （一般作be keyed up ） make someone nervous, tense, or excited, especially before an important event （尤指在重要事情开始前）使紧张，使兴奋
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a/the key to sth 某事的关键
真题例句：
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some key principles 一些关键的准则
真题例句：
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a few key examples 一些关键的例子
真题例句：
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the key of A minor A小调
真题例句：
"Old English
