vbl. sb. [f. KEY sb.1 and v.]
1. The action of the verb KEY in various senses.
1596–7. in Swayne, Sarum Churchw. Acc. 302. One Chiboll for his labor for the keyinge of a bell, 6d.
1862. G. P. Scrope, Volcanos, 290. The ‘keying’ of their flexures by the intrusion of molten matter from beneath, and its consolidation there.
1878. Marg. Stokes, Early Chr. Archit. Irel., 10. Finished at the top by selecting a thicker or thinner stone, as the case might require, for keying.
† 2. Stone-work serving as the key of an arch. Obs. rare–1.
1483. Churchw. Acc. St. Mary hill, London (Nichols, 1797), 97. Keyenge of a gate of ston 8 fote of heyghte withynne boght of William Gemet mason.
