keyhole
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keyhole
1. an aperture in a door or a lock case through which a key may be passed to engage the lock mechanism
2. a transient column of vapour or plasma formed during the welding or cutting of materials, using high energy beams, such as lasers
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
keyhole
[′kē‚hōl] (design engineering)
A hole or a slot for receiving a key.
(metallurgy)
A welding method wherein the heat source, because of its concentration, causes a hole through the surface immediately ahead of the molten weld metal in the direction of welding; the hole is filled as the welding progresses, ensuring complete joint penetration.
(ordnance)
Of a bullet, to strike a target after tumbling in flight so that the long axis of the bullet and the line of flight are not the same; usually caused by failure of the bullet to receive sufficient spin from the rifling in the barrel.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.