a. Now rare. [Cf. KEY sb.1 1 b.] As cold as a key; devoid of heat; esp. cold in death.
1529. More, Dyaloge, II. Wks. 185/2. That body bereth them yet about sicke and noughty and cay colde as thei be.
1593. Tell-Troth’s N. Y. Gift (1876), 5. Ioyning burning sommer with kea-cold winter.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., I. ii. 5. Poore key-cold Figure of a holy King.
1667. Dryden & Dk. Newcastle, Sir M. Mar-all, III. ii. Mill. Feel whether she breathes, with your hand before her mouth. Rose. No, madam, ’tis key-cold.
1894. Hall Caine, Manxman, VI. xiii. 405. The word was scarce out of his mouth when he was key-cold in a minute.
b. fig. Entirely devoid of warmth of feeling; having no zeal or fervor; apathetic.
1534. More, Comf. agst. Trib., III. xxvii. (1847), 313. The consideration of his incomparable kindness could not … fail to inflame our key-cold hearts.
1565. Stapleton, Fortr. Faith, 123*. Kaye colde christians.
a. 1659. Bp. Brownrig, Serm. (1674), I. xxxi. 393. Men are many times … luke-warm, yea, key-cold in the execution of justice.
a. 1734. Wodrow, Sci. Biog. (1845–7), I. 397 (E. D. D.). The nobility … are either key-cold, or ready to welcome Popery.
† B. As sb. (jocularly): A severe cold. Obs.
1602. Dekker, Satirom., Wks. 1873, I. 206. Sir Adam is best you hide your head for feare Your wise braines take key-colde.
Hence † Key-coldness, utter coldness.
1641. R. Baillie, Unlawf. Lim. Episc., 5. The greatest part of your professed vertue, we find to consist in a key-coldnes.
