dead key

noun

A special modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard, typically used to attach a specific diacritic to another character.

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Meanings

noundead key (plural dead keys)

plural dead keys

  1. A special modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard, typically used to attach a specific diacritic to another character.

Translations

Esperanto senpaŝa klavo
  • senpaŝa klavospecial modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard
Finnish päällekkäisnäppäin, tarkenäppäin
  • päällekkäisnäppäinspecial modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard
  • tarkenäppäinspecial modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard
French touche morte
  • touche mortespecial modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard
German Tottaste
  • Tottastespecial modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard
Vietnamese phím ảo
  • phím ảospecial modifier key on a typewriter or computer keyboard
Cite this entry
APA

dead key. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dead%20key

MLA

“dead key.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dead%20key. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dead key,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dead%20key.

Source: dead key on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.