clavis

English

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clavis

Wikipedia

Etymology

From Latin clāvis (“a key”). Doublet of clave and clef.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkleɪ.vɪs/, /ˈklɑv.ɪs/

• Audio (Southern England):

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• Audio (Southern England):

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• Rhymes: -eɪvɪs
• Rhymes: -ævɪs

Noun

clavis (plural clavises or claves)

1. (archaeology) A Roman key.

   Synonym: key

   • 1873, “Proceedings of the Association”, in Journal of the British Archaeological Association‎, volume 29, April 9th, page 202:

     Iron clavis, the solid web-shaped at the edges to fit the wards in the lock, and having a pointed broach and a kite-formed looped haft.

2. A device for restraint of the hands.

   Synonym: shackles

   • 1904, B. O. Flower, “Editorials”, in B. O. Flower, editor, The Arena‎, volume 32, VI. Dr. Bell shows how hopeless insanity was a fruit of public parsimony, page 540, column 2:

     His hands were restrained by means of a clavis and bolt (of iron), appropriated to each wrist, and united by a padlock.

3. Synonym of glossary: a key to the meaning of various terms.
   • 1784 July 12, William Cowper, “To the Rev. William Unwin.”, in Robert Southey, editor, The Works of William Cowper, with a Life of the Author‎, volume 5, published 1836, page 54:

     Homer, with a clavis, I have had possession of some years.

4. (taxonomy) A key; an identification guide; a series of logically organized groups of discriminating information which aims to allow the user to correctly identify a taxon.

   Synonyms: identification guide, conspectus, key

   • 1921, Alexander Irvine, “Short Notes: Rosa spinosissima×rubiginosa×f. cantiana, forma nova”, in Journal of Botany, British and Foreign, volume 59, number 702, page 180:

     There are many disadvantages in using a clavis intended for another country, which necessarily includes plants that are absent from our islands while it omits some that are present and neglects the peculiarities of our island flora.

Related terms

• clavichord

Translations

groups of information used for identifying a taxon

Japanese: 検索表 (kensakuhyō)

References

• “clavis”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

Anagrams

• Slavic, cavils

Catalan

Verb

clavis

1. second-person singular present subjunctive of clavar