(a) A key; lok and ~; also fig.; kinges keies, crowbars and hammers used to force locks or doors; (b) a representation of a key in a heraldic device; ~ of rome, a key as a sign of Roman pilgrimage; (c) pl. keies, ?a manorial office with charge of the keys of the buildings; ~ theis; (d) ~ berere (herde), a person in charge of keys; hevenli ~ herde, an epithet for St. Peter; ~ bond, a band for carrying keys, a key-ring; ~ clogge, a piece of wood attached to a key to prevent loss; ~ makere, a keysmith; ~ silver, a rent paid for exemption from the office of reeve; (e) in proverbs and sayings; (f) chirche ~, see chirche 9. (d); cliket ~, see cliket n. (1) (a); heven ~, see heven 7. (d).

In phrases: (a) beren keies, to enjoy (someone's) trust; beren keie(s of, kepen ~ of, be in charge of (sth.), have charge of (an office); have (someone's heart, happiness, etc.) in one's control; guard (faith, virtue, Christianity, etc.), defend; hold (treason) in check, curb; (b) bringen (taken, yelden, yelden up, yeven) the keies, senden the keie(s, to give up control (of a city or country), deliver a place (to sb.), surrender one's authority or rule; (c) kepen under ~, to lock (sb. or sth.) up, have in safekeeping or custody; also fig.; holden under ~, withhold (sth.); loken under a ~, keep (sb.) in one's sway; shitten under ~, conceal (malice, ill will); underfon under lok & ~, receive or accept (sth.) for safe custody, be entrusted with.

Theol. (a) The power and authority of Jesus; ~ of Dauid; (b) the power conferred on Peter by Christ and transmitted to the popes regarded as successors to Peter; also, the spiritual power of priests or of the Church; -- often pl.; keie(s of heven, keies of the gates (kingdom) of heven, keies of the reaume (kingdom) of hevenes, cristes ~.

In various fig. uses: (a) one who, or that which, opens the way to something, that which makes something possible; beren the ~; (b) a controller, means of controlling; protector, protection; lok and ~; (c) an entrance, place of entering; (d) that which explains or makes clear.

Arch. (a) A projecting ornament of stone or wood placed at the intersections of ribs of vaulted or flat ceilings; a boss; (b) ?a piece of timber for fastening or joining purposes; (c) a pin or wedge for fastening gutters.

Mus. A note, a tone.

The helm of a ship, tiller; fig. that which guides or governs; [?L clavus confused with clavis].

?In surname.