KEYNOTE

keynote

(noun) a fundamental or central idea

tonic, keynote

(noun) (music) the first note of a diatonic scale

keynote

(noun) the principal theme in a speech or literary work

keynote

(verb) set the keynote of; “Comfort keynotes this designer’s Fall collection”

keynote

(verb) give the keynote address to (an audience)

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

keynote (plural keynotes)

(music) The note on which a musical key is based; the tonic.

The main theme of a speech, a written work, or a conference.

A speech that sets the main theme of a conference or other gathering; a keynote speech or keynote address.

Verb

keynote (third-person singular simple present keynotes, present participle keynoting, simple past and past participle keynoted)

(transitive) To deliver a speech that sets the main theme of a conference or other gathering.

Source: Wiktionary


Key"note`, n.

1. (Mus.)

Definition: The tonic or first tone of the scale in which a piece or passage is written; the fundamental tone of the chord, to which all the modulations of the piece are referred; -- called also key tone.

2. The fundamental fact or idea; that which gives the key; as, the keynote of a policy or a sermon.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

11 May 2025

MALLET

(noun) a light drumstick with a rounded head that is used to strike such percussion instruments as chimes, kettledrums, marimbas, glockenspiels, etc.


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Coffee Trivia

Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.

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