keyhole
UK[ˈkiːhəʊl]US[ˈkiːhoʊl]
n
A hole in a lock into which the key is inserted.
n
A small, often peephole-like opening.
Morpheme Breakdown
key
hole
key
hole
Etymology
The word 'keyhole' is a transparent compound formed from two native English elements. 'Key' originates from Old English cǣg, a word of obscure etymology that has consistently referred to the instrument for locking and unlocking. 'Hole' derives from Old English hol, meaning a hollow or cavity, which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root hulą. The compound literally means "the hole for a key," a straightforward descriptive term for the aperture in a lock mechanism. Over time, its meaning extended metaphorically to describe any similarly shaped, small opening, such as a keyhole cut in a door for viewing or a keyhole neckline in clothing.
Analysis
Structure: key + hole
- key: From Old English cǣg, of unknown origin. Functional role: The object designed to operate a lock.
- hole: From Old English hol (a hollow place, cave), from Proto-Germanic hulą. Functional role: Denotes an opening or aperture.
Examples
She peered through the keyhole to see who was outside.
The old iron key turned smoothly in the keyhole.
The dress featured an elegant keyhole detail at the back.