[L. clāvis.]
1. lit. A key.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., III. xviii. 110. Christ himself would have given a Clavis, and taught the Church to unlock so great a secret.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Clavis, sometimes used in English writers.
a. 1839. Galt, Demon of Destiny, II. 14. The pond’rous clavis of some torture cave.
2. fig. A key to writings in another language, to ciphers, etc.
1678. Phillips, Clavis,… an Exposition of hard words, or such feigned names as hint at known persons. Hence in Kersey, Bailey, and mod. Dicts.
