Decoding and Key

noun

• The activity of making clear or converting from code into plain text.
  • usage: "a secret key or password is required for decryption"
  • synonyms: decryption, decipherment

verb

• Convert code into ordinary language.
  • synonyms: decode, decrypt, decipher

noun

• Metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated.
• Something crucial for explaining.
  • usage: "the key to development is economic integration"
• Pitch of the voice.
  • usage: "he spoke in a low key"
• Any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music.
  • synonyms: tonality
• A kilogram of a narcotic drug.
  • usage: "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
• A winged often one-seed indehiscent fruit as of the ash or elm or maple.
  • synonyms: samara, key fruit
• 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.
  • synonyms: Francis Scott Key
• A coral reef off the southern coast of Florida.
  • synonyms: cay, Florida key
• 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. (
  • usage: "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint"
  • synonyms: paint
• A list of answers to a test.
  • usage: "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
• A list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations.
• A generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access.
  • usage: "a safe-deposit box usually requires two keys to open it"
• Mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock.
  • synonyms: winder
• The central building block at the top of an arch or vault.
  • synonyms: keystone, headstone
• A lever (as in a keyboard) that actuates a mechanism when depressed.

verb

• Identify as in botany or biology, for example.
  • synonyms: identify, discover, key out, distinguish, describe, name
• Provide with a key.
  • usage: "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
• Vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key.
  • usage: "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
• Regulate the musical pitch of.
• Harmonize with or adjust to.
  • usage: "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

adjective

• Serving as an essential component.
  • usage: "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"
  • synonyms: cardinal, central, fundamental, primal

• (n.) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara; -- called also key fruit.
• (n.) That part of a mechanism which serves to lock up, make fast or adjust to position.
• (n.) That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.
• (n.) A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem.
• (n.) That part of an instrument or machine which serves as the means of operating it; as, a telegraph key; the keys of a pianoforte or of a typewriter.
• (n.) The last board of a floor when laid down.
• (n.) Fig: The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.
• (n.) An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock and operated by turning in its place.
• (n.) A bar, pin or wedge, to secure a crank, pulley, coupling, etc., upon a shaft, and prevent relative turning; sometimes holding by friction alone, but more frequently by its resistance to shearing, being usually embedded partly in the shaft and partly in the crank, pulley, etc.
• (n.) A family of tones whose regular members are called diatonic tones, and named key tone (or tonic) or one (or eight), mediant or three, dominant or five, subdominant or four, submediant or six, supertonic or two, and subtonic or seven. Chromatic tones are temporary members of a key, under such names as " sharp four," "flat seven," etc. Scales and tunes of every variety are made from the tones of a key.
• (n.) An instrument which is turned like a key in fastening or adjusting any mechanism; as, a watch key; a bed key, etc.
• (n.) A wedge to unite two or more pieces or adjust their relative position; a cotter; a forelock.
• (n.) A piece of wood used as a wedge.
• (n.) A keystone.
• (v.t.) To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.
• (n.) The fundamental tone of a movement to which its modulations are referred, and with which it generally begins and ends; keynote.
• (n.) A metallic lever by which the circuit of the sending or transmitting part of a station equipment may be easily and rapidly opened and closed; any device for closing or opening an electric circuit.
• (n.) A simplified version or analysis which accompanies something as a clue to its explanation, a book or table containing the solutions to problems, ciphers, allegories or the like or a table or synopsis of conspicuous distinguishing characters of members of a taxonomic group.
• A bar or key, in a typewriter or typesetting machine, used for spacing between letters.

Key is a password needed to decipher encrypted data.

• Name Meaning: Son of Aidan
• Name Origin: Gaelic