the act of containing; keeping something from spreading; "the containment of the AIDS epidemic"; "the containment of the rebellion"
(physics) a system designed to prevent the accidental release of radioactive material from a reactor
a policy of creating strategic alliances in order to check the expansion of a hostile power or ideology or to force it to negotiate peacefully; "containment of communist expansion was a central principle of United States' foreign policy from 1947 to the 1975"
having been learned or found or determined especially by investigation
characterized by great determination; "a struggle against a determined enemy"
determined or decided upon as by an authority; "date and place are already determined"; "the dictated terms of surrender"; "the time set for the launching"
devoting full strength and concentrated attention to; "made continued and determined efforts to find and destroy enemy headquarters"
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
a lever that actuates a mechanism when depressed
pitch of the voice; "he spoke in a low key"
something crucial for explaining; "the key to development is economic integration"
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"
a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
a list of answers to a test; "some students had stolen the key to the final exam"
any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
(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"
a coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
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)
a kilogram of a narcotic drug; "they were carrying two keys of heroin"
harmonize with or adjust to; "key one's actions to the voters' prevailing attitude"
regulate the musical pitch of
vandalize a car by scratching the sides with a key; "His new Mercedes was keyed last night in the parking lot"
provide with a key; "We were keyed after the locks were changed in the building"
fraught with uncertainty or doubt; "they were doubtful that the cord would hold"; "it was doubtful whether she would be admitted"; "dubious about agreeing to go"
open to doubt or suspicion; "the candidate's doubtful past"; "he has a dubious record indeed"; "what one found uncertain the other found dubious or downright false"; "it was more than dubitable whether the friend was as influential as she thought"- Karen Horney
unsettled in mind or opinion; "drew a few tentative conclusions"
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)