| 释义 |
pass-key|ˈpɑːsˌkiː, -æ-|
[f. pass v. or n. + key n.1]
A key (other than the ordinary key) of a door or gate, with which a person can let himself in or out at times when the door or gate is shut: spec. a. A key that will open any of a number of locks, a master-key; also fig.; b. a private key to a gate, etc.; c. a latch-key.
c1817Hogg Tales & Sk. (1837) IV. 164, I gained the gate; but..it was fast locked, the Countess having the pass-key. 1835Court Mag. VI. 31/2 The baron, by means of a pass-key, entered the chamber of his son. 1846Mrs. Gore Eng. Char. (1852) 26 Deprecation, whether in tone, manner, or phraseology, is an universal pass-key. 1861M. Arnold Pop. Educ. France 152 The Nancy inspector who went round the schools of that town with me, had a pass-key by which he let himself into any one of them when he pleased. 1872H. W. Beecher Lect. Preaching x. 184 There is only one pass-key that will open every door, and that is the golden key of love. 1881J. Hawthorne Fort. Fool i. xxxi, If she returned late, she would let herself in with her pass-key. |