KEYHOLE

keyhole

(noun) the hole where a key is inserted

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

keyhole (plural keyholes)

The hole in a lock where the key is inserted and turns.

Any small opening resembling the hole for a key in shape or function.

A circle cut out of a garment as a decorative effect, typically at the front or back neckline of a dress.

(carpentry) A hole or excavation in beams intended to be joined together, to receive the key that fastens them.

(engineering) A mortise for a key or cotter.

(lasers) A transient column of vapor or plasma formed when using high energy beams, such as lasers, for welding or cutting.

(metallurgy) A welding method in which a hole forms in the surface immediately ahead of the puddle in the direction of welding. The hole is filled as the weld progresses.

(basketball) The free-throw lane together with the circle surrounding the free-throw line; key.

(astronomy) A gravitational keyhole.

Verb

keyhole (third-person singular simple present keyholes, present participle keyholing, simple past and past participle keyholed)

(ordnance) To strike a target after wobbling in flight so that the long axis of the bullet does not follow the line of flight; typically due to insufficient spin resulting from the rifling in the barrel.

Source: Wiktionary

Key"hole`, n.

1. A hole or apertupe in a door or lock, for receiving a key.

2. (a) (Carp.) A hole or excavation in beams intended to be joined together, to receive the key which fastens them. (b) (Mach.) a mortise for a key or cotter. Keyhole limpet (Zoöl.), a marine gastropod of the genus Fissurella and allied genera. See Fissurella.

– Keyhole saw, a narrow, slender saw, used in cutting keyholes, etc., as in doors; a kind of compass saw or fret saw.

– Keyhole urchin (Zoöl.), any one of numerous clypeastroid sea urchins, of the genera Melitta, Rotula, and Encope; -- so called because they have one or more perforations resembling keyholes.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition