key chainn.
/ˈkiː tʃeɪn/, U.S. /ˈki ˌtʃeɪn/ A chain for carrying keys. In later use also: a key ring, esp. one with a fob connected to the ring itself by a chain.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > key > devices to prevent loss of keys
key band1446
key-clogc1450
key chain1652
key ring1743
keyholder1837
1652 B. Gerbier Discov. Stumbling-blocks 5 You shall have onse silvere slentel reemen, our silver key chains.
1860 Boston Daily Advertiser 12 Oct. (advt.) Curling Tongs, Needle Cases, Key Rings, Key Chains, [etc.].
1895 Montgomery Ward Catal. Spring & Summer 86/2 Polished steel key chains, 18 inches long.
1904 Westm. Gaz. 28 July 10/3 He subsequently found his key-chain on a chair in the bedroom.
1950 F. P. Walkup Dressing Part (rev. ed.) 368 A ridiculous fad..was the ‘zoot suit’..adorned with a keychain that swept the ground.
2002 Time 29 Apr. 64/5 Every kid has to have Star Wars action figures, lightsabers, key chains, books, etc.
Compounds
keychain drive n. Computing a USB flash drive, esp. one that can be attached to a key chain or key ring.
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2002 Maximum PC Apr. 6/3 I was shopping for a present recently, and was astounded by the number of companies selling USB keychain drives.
2005 Time 23 May 78/2 A 2-GB key-chain drive with retractable USB jack.
2010 D. D. Denby Chimera 328 With this program, he copied [the antivirus program] Adams to his keychain drive.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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