Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

woodruff key

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.90 in modern English

Syllables
woodruf-f key
IPA
28
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A semicircular key that fits partly into a circular segment keyseat, with the remainder fitting into a longitudinal slot keyway in the mating part.

Etymology

Developed by William N. Woodruff of Hartford, Connecticut, in the 1880s, to improve on existing keying practice with more economical keyseat cutting; in the era's technological context, this design offered what is today called a DFM improvement (US patent 368744).

Inflected Forms

Woodruff keys (plural)

Questions

What does woodruff key mean?
A semicircular key that fits partly into a circular segment keyseat, with the remainder fitting into a longitudinal slot keyway in the mating part.
Where does woodruff key come from?
Developed by William N. Woodruff of Hartford, Connecticut, in the 1880s, to improve on existing keying practice with more economical keyseat cutting; in the era's technological context, this design offered what is today called a DFM improvement (US patent 368744).

How to pronounce woodruff key

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “woodruff key”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “woodruff key”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “woodruff key” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.