Key vs Lead - What's the difference?
key | lead |
An object designed to open and close a lock.
* , chapter=13
, title= An object designed to fit between two other objects (such as a shaft and a wheel) in a mechanism and maintain their relative orientation.
A crucial step or requirement.
* (John Locke) (1632-1705)
* (1809-1892)
A guide explaining the symbols or terminology of a map or chart; a legend.
A guide to the correct answers of a worksheet or test.
(label) One of several small, usually square buttons on a typewriter or computer keyboard, mostly corresponding to text characters.
(label) One of a number of rectangular moving parts on a piano or musical keyboard, each causing a particular sound or note to be produced.
(label) One of various levers on a musical instrument used to select notes, such as a lever opening a hole on a woodwind.
(label) A hierarchical scale of musical notes on which a composition is based.
* 1881 , R.L. Stevenson, :
(label) The general pitch or tone of a sentence or utterance.
* (William Cowper) (1731-1800)
(label) An indehiscent, one-seeded fruit furnished with a wing, such as the fruit of the ash and maple; a samara.
(label) A manual electrical switching device primarily used for the transmission of Morse code.
(label) A piece of information (e.g. a passphrase) used to encode or decode a message or messages.
(label) A password restricting access to an IRC channel.
* 2000 , "Robert Erdec", Re: Help; mIRC32; unable to resolve server arnes.si'' (on newsgroup ''alt.irc.mirc )
(label) In a relational database, a field used as an index into another table (not necessarily unique).
(label) A value that uniquely identifies an entry in an associative array.
(label) The free-throw lane together with the circle surrounding the free-throw line, the free-throw lane having formerly been narrower, giving the area the shape of a skeleton key hole.
(label) A series of logically organized groups of discriminating information which aims to allow the user to correctly identify a taxon.
(label) Kilogram (though this is more commonly shortened to kay ).
* 2010 , David J. Silas, Da Block (page 41)
(label) A piece of wood used as a wedge.
(label) The last board of a floor when laid down.
(label) A keystone.
That part of the plastering which is forced through between the laths and holds the rest in place.
(rail transport) A wooden support for a rail on the bullhead rail system.
(label) The object used to open or close a lock, often used as a heraldic charge.
Indispensable, supremely important.
* 2007 , Mark H. Moss, Shopping as an Entertainment Experience (page 46)
Important, salient.
* {{quote-book, year=2006, author=
, title=Internal Combustion
, chapter=2 * {{quote-news
, year=2011
, date=September 29
, author=Jon Smith
, title=Tottenham 3 - 1 Shamrock Rovers
, work=BBC Sport
To fit (a lock) with a key.
To fit (pieces of a mechanical assembly) with a key to maintain the orientation between them.
To mark or indicate with a symbol indicating membership in a class.
* 1996 January, Garden Dsign Ideas , second printing, (Taunton Press), ISBN 1561580791, page 25,
* 2001 , Bruce M. Metzger, The Bible in Translation , ISBN 0801022827, page 87,
* 2002 , Karen Bromley, Stretching Students' Vocabulary , ISBN 0439288398, page 12,
* 2007 , Stephen Blake Mettee, Michelle Doland and Doris Hall, compilers, The American Directory of Writer's Guidelines , 6th ("2007–2008") edition, ISBN 1884956580, page 757,
(telegraphy and radio telegraphy) To depress (a telegraph key).
(radio) To operate (the transmitter switch of a two-way radio).
(computing) (more usually to key in ) To enter (information) by typing on a keyboard or keypad.
(colloquial) To vandalize (a car, etc.) by scratching with an implement such as a key.
To link (as one might do with a key or legend).
* 1960 , Richard L. Masland, "Classification of the Epilepsies", in Epilepsia , volume 1, page 516,
* '>citation
* '>citation
(intransitive, biology, chiefly, taxonomy) To be identified as a certain taxon when using a key.
To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.
(uncountable) A heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82, symbol Pb (from Latin plumbum ).
(countable) A plummet or mass of lead attached to a line, used in sounding depth at sea or (dated) to estimate velocity in knots.
A thin strip of type metal, used to separate lines of type in printing.
(uncountable, typography) Vertical space in advance of a row or between rows of text. Also known as leading .
Sheets or plates of lead used as a covering for roofs.
A roof covered with lead sheets or terne plates.
:* I would have the tower two stories, and goodly leads upon the top. —
(countable) A thin cylinder of black lead or plumbago (graphite) used in pencils.
(slang) Bullets; ammunition.
To cover, fill, or affect with lead; as, continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle.
(printing) To place leads between the lines of; as, to lead a page; leaded matter.
To .
#To guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection.
#:
#*(John Wycliffe) on
#*:If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in the ditch.
#*
#*:They thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill.
#*(John Milton) (1608-1674)
#*:In thy right hand lead with thee / The mountain nymph, sweet Liberty.
#To guide or conduct in a certain course, or to a certain place or end, by making the way known; to show the way, especially by going with or going in advance of, to lead a pupil; to guide somebody somewhere or to bring somebody somewhere by means of.instructions. Hence, figuratively: To direct; to counsel; to instruct; as, to lead a traveler.
#*
#*:The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way.
#*
#*:He leadeth me beside the still waters.
#*(John Milton) (1608-1674)
#*:This thought might lead me through the world’s vain mask. Content, though blind, had I no better guide.
#*, chapter=1
, title= #To conduct or direct with authority; to have direction or charge of; as, to lead an army, an exploring party, or a search; to lead a political party; to command, especially a military or business unit.
#*(Robert South) (1634–1716)
#*:Christ took not upon him flesh and blood that he might conquer and rule nations, lead armies, or possess places.
#To guide or conduct oneself in, through, or along (a certain course); hence, to proceed in the way of; to follow the path or course of; to pass; to spend. Also, to cause (one) to proceed or follow in (a certain course).
#:
#*
#*:That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.
#*1849 , (Alfred Tennyson),
#*:Nor thou with shadow'd hint confuse / A life that leads melodious days.
#*1849-50 , (Charles Dickens), ''(David Copperfield), Chapter 61
#*:You rememberthe life he used to lead his wife and daughter.
(label) To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before, showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to have precedence or preeminence; to be first or chief; — used in most of the senses of the transitive verb.
(label) To begin, to be ahead.
#(label) To go or to be in advance of; to precede; hence, to be foremost or chief among.
#:
#*1600 , (Edward Fairfax), The (Jerusalem Delivered) of (w)
#*:As Hesperus, that leads the sun his way.
#*(Leigh Hunt) (1784-1859)
#*:And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
#*
, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4
, passage=“Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.}}
#(label) To lead off or out, to go first; to begin.
#(label) To be more advanced in technology or business than others.
#
## To begin a game, round, or trick, with; as, to lead trumps.
##:
##(label) To be ahead of others, e.g., in a race.
##(label) To have the highest interim score in a game.
##(label) To step off base and move towards the next base.
##:
##(label) To aim in front of a moving target, in order that the shot may hit the target as it passes.
(label) To draw or direct by influence, whether good or bad; to prevail on; to induce; to entice; to allure; as, to lead one to espouse a righteous cause.
*1649 , King (Charles I of England), (Eikon Basilike)
*:He was driven by the necessities of the times, more than led by his own disposition, to any rigor of actions.
* .
*:Silly women, laden with sins, led away by divers lusts.
*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)
, volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly)
, title= (label) To tend or reach in a certain direction, or to a certain place.
:
*ca. 1590 , (w),
*:The mountain-foot that leads towards Mantua.
*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-10, volume=408, issue=8848, magazine=(The Economist)
, title= To produce.
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*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-03, volume=408, issue=8847, magazine=(The Economist)
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(uncountable) The act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction, course; as, to take the lead; to be under the lead of another.
:* At the time I speak of, and having a momentary lead , . . . I am sure I did my country important service. — (Edmund Burke)
(uncountable) Precedence; advance position; also, the measure of precedence; as, the white horse had the lead; a lead of a boat’s length, or of half a second; the state of being ahead in a race; the highest score in a game in an incomplete game.
* {{quote-news
, year=2010
, date=December 28
, author=Kevin Darlin
, title=West Brom 1 - 3 Blackburn
, work=BBC
(countable) a metallic wire for electrical devices and equipments
(baseball) When a runner steps away from a base while waiting for the pitch to be thrown
(uncountable, card games, dominoes) The act or right of playing first in a game or round; the card suit, or piece, so played; as, your partner has the lead.
(countable) A channel of open water in an ice field.
(countable, mining) A lode.
(nautical) The course of a rope from end to end.
A rope, leather strap, or similar device with which to lead an animal; a leash
In a steam engine, The width of port opening which is uncovered by the valve, for the admission or release of steam, at the instant when the piston is at end of its stroke.
* Usage note : When used alone it means outside lead, or lead for the admission of steam. Inside lead refers to the release or exhaust.
charging lead
(civil engineering) The distance of haul, as from a cutting to an embankment.
(horology) The action of a tooth, as a tooth of a wheel, in impelling another tooth or a pallet. — Claudias Saunier
Hypothesis that has not been pursued
Information obtained by a detective or police officer that allows him or her to discover further details about a crime or incident.
(marketing) Potential opportunity for a sale or transaction, a potential customer.
Information obtained by a news reporter about an issue or subject that allows him or her to discover more details.
(curling) The player who throws the first two rocks for a team.
(newspapers) A teaser; a lead in; the start of a newspaper column, telling who, what, when, where, why and how. (Sometimes spelled as lede for this usage to avoid ambiguity.)
An important news story that appears on the front page of a newspaper or at the beginning of a news broadcast
(engineering) The axial distance a screw thread travels in one revolution. It is equal to the pitch times the number of starts.
(music) In a barbershop quartet, the person who sings the melody, usually the second tenor
(not comparable) Foremost.
As a proper noun key
is .As a noun lead is
(uncountable) a heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity it is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal atomic number 82, symbol pb (from latin plumbum ) or lead can be (uncountable) the act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction, course; as, to take the lead; to be under the lead of another.As a verb lead is
to cover, fill, or affect with lead; as, continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle or lead can be to or lead can be .As an adjective lead is
(not comparable) foremost.key
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) keye, kaye, . For the semantic development, note that medieval keys were simply long poles (ending in a hook) with which a crossbar obstructing a door from the inside could be removed from the outside, by lifting it through a hole in the door.Noun
(en noun)Mr. Pratt's Patients, passage=We tiptoed into the house, up the stairs and along the hall into the room where the Professor had been spending so much of his time. 'Twas locked, of course, but the Deacon man got a big bunch of keys out of his pocket and commenced to putter with the lock.}}
- Those who are accustomed to reason have got the true key of books.
- who keeps the keys of all the creeds
- A girl, it is true, has always lived in a glass house among reproving relatives, whose word was law; she has been bred up to sacrifice her judgments and take the key submissively from dear papa; and it is wonderful how swiftly she can change her tune into the husband's.
- You fall at once into a lower key .
- if you know someone who is in the channel, you can query them and ask for the key .
- So starting with ten keys' of cocaine and two ' keys of heroin, Derrick put his plan in motion. Soon every major drug dealer and gang chief from Chicago Avenue to Evanston was in his pocket.
Derived terms
(Derived terms) * candidate key * card key * church key * foreign key * keyboard * keycard * key card * keychain, key chain * key fob, keyfob * keyhole * keynote * keypad * keyring, key ring * key signature * keystone * keystroke * keyword * major key * minor key * Morse key * primary key * public-key cryptography * skeleton key * unique keySee also
* clef * scale * (wikipedia "key") *Adjective
(en adjective)- He is the key player on his soccer team.
- Lukas intimates that one of Disney's key attractions was "Main Street USA,” which "mimicked a downtown business district just as Southdale" had done.
- She makes several key points.
citation, passage=Throughout the 1500s, the populace roiled over a constellation of grievances of which the forest emerged as a key focal point. The popular late Middle Ages fictional character Robin Hood, dressed in green to symbolize the forest, dodged fines for forest offenses and stole from the rich to give to the poor. But his appeal was painfully real and embodied the struggle over wood.}}
citation, page= , passage=With the north London derby to come at the weekend, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp opted to rest many of his key players, although he brought back Aaron Lennon after a month out through injury.}}
Usage notes
The first meaning is distinguished by the definite article, as seen in the quotations.Verb
(en verb)- So I worked on a tissue-paper copy of the perimeter plan, outlining groupings of plants of the same species and keying them with letters for the species.
- The volume closes with thirty pages of "Notes, critical and explanatory," in which Thomson provides seventy-six longer or shorter notes keyed to specific sections of the synopsis.
- Talk about similarities between the words and write them below to the left of the anchor, keying' them with a plus sign (+). Talk about the characteristics that set the words apart and list them below the box to the right, ' keying them with a tilde sign (~).
- Indicate the comparative value of each heading by keying it with a number in pencil, in the left margin, as follows:
- Our instructor told us to key in our user IDs.
- He keyed the car that had taken his parking spot.
- The American Heart Association has prepared their own guide to classification and, keying it with the Standard Nomenclature of Diseases , have done much to encourage a concise yet complete diagnosis.
- (Francis)
Derived terms
* key in * key off * key out * keyed upEtymology 2
Variant of cay, from (etyl) cayo.Alternative forms
* cayAnagrams
*Etymology 3
lead
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) leed, from (etyl) . Alternative etymology suggests the possibility that Proto-Germanic *laud?'' may derive from (etyl) . More at (l).Noun
- This copy has too much lead; I prefer less space between the lines.
- They pumped him full of lead .
Derived terms
* arm the lead * acetate of lead * black lead * blue lead * cast the lead, heave the lead * chromate of lead * coasting lead * cold lead * deep-sea lead * eka-lead * go down like a lead balloon * hand lead * lap in lead * lay in lead * lead accumulator * lead acetate * lead-acid battery * lead-arming * lead arsenate * lead-ash, lead-ashes * lead-back * lead balloon * lead-bath * lead-blue * lead bronze * lead-brown * lead bullion * lead-burn * lead burning * lead carbonate * lead cell * lead chamber * lead chloride * lead colic * lead color, lead colour * lead-colored, lead-coloured * lead-comb * lead crystal * lead dichloride * lead dinitrate * lead dioxide * lead distemper * lead-eater * leaded * lead encephalopathy * lead-flat * lead-foot * lead-free * lead glance * lead glass * lead-glaze * lead-gray, lead-grey * lead hydrogen arsenate * lead in one's pencil * lead iodide * lead-light * lead-like * lead line * lead-man * lead-marcasite * lead mill * lead-nail * lead nitrate * lead ocher, lead ochre * lead oxide * lead paint * lead palsy * lead-paper * lead-papered * lead paralysis * lead pencil * lead plant * lead-plaster * lead peroxide * lead-pot * lead-poisoning * lead ratio * lead-reeve * lead selenide * lead-sinker * leadsman * lead-soap * lead-spar * lead-sugar * lead sulfide, lead sulphide * lead-swing * lead-swinger * lead-swinging * lead tetraethyl * lead tetroxide * lead-tin * lead-tree * lead vanadate * lead-vitriol * lead-wash * lead-water * lead wool * lead-work * lead-works * lead-wort * mock lead * pencil lead * red lead * red lead ore * sugar of lead * swing the lead * telluride of lead * tetraethyl lead * thorium lead * throw the lead * unleaded * uranium lead * uranium-lead dating * white leadVerb
(en verb)Usage notes
Note carefully these two senses are verbs derived from the noun referring to the metallic element, and are unrelated to the heteronym defined below under .See also
* anglesite * aplomb * cerussite * galena * litharge * plumb * plumb-, plumbo- * plumbagin * plumbago * plumballophane * plumbane * plumbary * plumbate * plumbator * plumb dulcis * plumbean * plumbeous * plumber * plumbian * plumbic * plumbicon * plumbiferous * plumbine * plumbing * plumbism * plumbisolvency * plumbisolvent * plumbite * plumb-joint * plumbless * plumbly * plumbous * plumby * plummet * TELExternal links
* (wikipedia "lead")Etymology 2
(Lead off) From (etyl) leden, from (etyl) .Verb
Mr. Pratt's Patients, chapter=1 , passage=I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal'lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.}}
Our banks are out of control, passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.}}
Can China clean up fast enough?, passage=All this has led to an explosion of protest across China, including among a middle class that has discovered nimbyism. That worries the government, which fears that environmental activism could become the foundation for more general political opposition. It is therefore dealing with pollution in two ways—suppression and mitigation.}}
Yesterday’s fuel, passage=The dawn of the oil age was fairly recent. Although the stuff was used to waterproof boats in the Middle East 6,000 years ago, extracting it in earnest began only in 1859 after an oil strike in Pennsylvania.
Derived terms
(terms derived from the verb "to lead") * belead * inlead * lead astray * lead captive * leader * leading * lead the way * mislead * offlead * onlead * outlead * overlead * take the lead * underleadNoun
citation, page= , passage=Blackburn then regained the lead with a simplest of set-piece goals}}
- The runner took his lead from first.
- The investigation stalled when all leads turned out to be dead ends.
- Joe is a great addition to our sales team, he has numerous leads in the paper industry.
Usage notes
Note that these noun (attributive) uses are all derived from the verb, not the chemical element in .Derived terms
(terms derived from the noun "lead") * bury the lead * lead angle * lead in * lead role * lead screw * take the leadAdjective
(-)- The contestants are all tied; no one has the lead position.