keying

Pluralkeyings (some meanings)

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle of key. Use this form for the action happening right now.

   She is keying her password into the terminal.

   He kept keying the numbers into the spreadsheet all afternoon.

   Note
2. 2
   noununcountable

   Typing letters or numbers into a computer using a keyboard.

   Like putting words into a machine one button at a time.

   All that keying left her fingers sore by lunchtime.

   The job involves hours of keying every single day.

   Similartyping, entry, input

3. 3
   noununcountable

   Damaging a car's paint on purpose by dragging a key across it.

   Like scratching a deep line across a fresh coat of paint.

   The keying of his new car cost hundreds of dollars to repaint.

   Security cameras caught the keying on video.

   Similarvandalism, scratching

4. 4
   nouncountable

   A small action or word that shows people in a conversation what kind of situation they are really in.

   Like a smile that lets you know a scary story is only for fun.

   A wink can act as a keying that tells friends the threat is only a joke.

   The teacher's playful tone was a keying for the students that the lesson had turned into a game.

   Note

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