key (noun)

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

key (noun)

something crucial for explaining

"the key to development is economic integration"

key (noun)

pitch of the voice

"he spoke in a low key"

key, tonality (noun)

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

key (noun)

a kilogram of a narcotic drug

"they were carrying two keys of heroin"

samara, key fruit, key (noun)

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

Key, Francis Scott Key (noun)

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)

key, cay, Florida key (noun)

a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida

key, paint (noun)

(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"; "he dominates play in the paint"

key (noun)

a list of answers to a test

"some students had stolen the key to the final exam"

key (noun)

a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations

key (noun)

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"

winder, key (noun)

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

keystone, key, headstone (noun)

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

key (adj)

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

cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal (verb)

serving as an essential component

"a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"

identify, discover, key, key out, distinguish, describe, name (verb)

identify as in botany or biology, for example

key (verb)

provide with a key

"We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"

key (verb)

vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key

"His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"

key (verb)

regulate the musical pitch of

key (verb)

harmonize with or adjust to

"key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"

Key

Key is a Japanese visual novel studio which formed on July 21, 1998 as a brand under the publisher Visual Art's and is located in Kita, Osaka, Japan. Key released their debut visual novel Kanon in June 1999, which combined an elaborate storyline, an up-to-date anime-style drawing style, and a musical score which helped to set the mood for the game. Key's second game Air released in September 2000 had a similar if not more complex storyline to Kanon and a more thorough gameplay. Both Kanon and Air were originally produced as adult games, but Key broke this trend with their third title Clannad which was released in April 2004 for all ages. Key has worked in the past with Interchannel and Prototype for the consumer port releases of the brand's games. Key collaborated with ASCII Media Works' Dengeki G's Magazine to produce the mixed media project Angel Beats!, which was produced into an anime TV series in 2010. The brand's ninth game Rewrite was released in June 2011, and a fan disc for the game titled Rewrite Harvest festa! was released in July 2012. Co-founder Jun Maeda is a prominent figure in the brand, he having contributed on the planning, scenario, and music composition in the majority of Key's visual novels. Itaru Hinoue, also a co-founder, is Key's main artist and was the art director for Key's first three games. Na-Ga, another prominent artist in the brand, mainly worked with background art in earlier games, but with Key's sixth game Little Busters! was given the position of co-art director with Hinoue. Shinji Orito, Key's main composer and another co-founder, has composed music for the majority of Key's titles. Yūto Tonokawa, a scenario writer, first worked on the scenario in Little Busters!.