keynote

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the central idea, prevailing tone, or most important feature of something

   Cooperation was the keynote of the negotiations.

2. 2
   noun

   the first or tonic note of a musical scale, which establishes its key

   The melody repeatedly returns to the keynote of the scale.

3. 3
   verb

   to introduce, emphasize, or establish the central theme of an event or work

   Her opening remarks keynoted the conference's focus on public trust.

Formed from key + note. The musical keynote establishes a composition's key; by metaphor, the word came to mean the central idea or prevailing tone that organizes a speech, event, or work.

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