[KEY sb.1 11.]
1. The set or row of keys in such musical instruments as the organ and piano.
1819. Pantologia, s.v. Organ, Worked by … a treadle, which comes out in the front of the instrument, under the key board.
1856. Mrs. C. Clarke, trans. Berlioz’ Instrument., 126. A large organ generally possesses five key-boards one above the other.
1896. Hipkins, Pianoforte, 5. The keyboard with its ivory and ebony notes [is seen] when the front of the instrument is opened.
fig. 1884. trans. Lotze’s Metaph., 491. In this case the soul would stand … before the open key-board of the central nerve-terminations.
1892. Stevenson, Across the Plains, 79. Uproar that runs … up and down the long key-board of the beach.
attrib. 1896. Hipkins, Pianoforte, 46. The various keyboard instruments. Ibid., 65. A keyboard psaltery of a harp-shaped disposition.
2. The set of keys in a type-writing machine.
1851. Illustr. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 1187. A printing key-board, by which the blind are enabled to write.
1881. Spon’s Dict. Indust. Arts, 1608. The ‘Remington’ machine has in front a key-board holding the letters and numerals.
