Key v. t. [imp. & p. p. Keved p. pr. & vb. n. Keying.]
 1. To fasten or secure firmly; to fasten or tighten with keys or wedges.
 To key up. (a) Arch. To raise (the whole ring of an arch) off its centering, by driving in the keystone forcibly. (b) Mus. To raise the pitch of. (c) Hence, (fig.), to produce nervous tension in; as, the whole team was keyed up for the championship game.

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