Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Keyhole

Key′holeˊ

,
Noun.
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
(Zool.)
,
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
(Zool.)
,
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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Keyhole

KE'YHOLE

,
Noun.
A hole or aperture in a door or lock, for receiving a key.

Definition 2024


keyhole

keyhole

English

Noun

keyhole (plural keyholes)

  1. The hole in a lock where the key is inserted and turns.
  2. Any small opening resembling the hole for a key in shape or function.
  3. A circle cut out of a garment as a decorative effect, typically at the front or back neckline of a dress.
  4. (carpentry) A hole or excavation in beams intended to be joined together, to receive the key that fastens them.
  5. (engineering) A mortise for a key or cotter.
  6. (lasers) A transient column of vapor or plasma formed when using high energy beams, such as lasers, for welding or cutting.
    laser keyhole welding
    keyhole plasma
  7. (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.
  8. (basketball) The free-throw lane together with the circle surrounding the free-throw line; key.

Translations

Verb

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

  1. (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.

Derived terms