ˈkey-cold, a. Now rare.
[Cf. key n.1 1 b.]
As cold as a key; devoid of heat; esp. cold in death.
| 1529 More Dyaloge ii. Wks. 185/2 That body bereth them yet about sicke and noughty and cay colde as thei be. 1593 Tell-Troth's N.Y. Gift 4 Joyning burning sommer with kea-cold winter. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. ii. 5 Poore key-cold Figure of a holy King. 1667 Dryden Sir Martin Mar-all iii. ii, Mill. Feel whether she breathes, with your hand before her mouth. Rose. No, madam, 'tis key-cold. 1894 Hall Caine Manxman vi. xiii. 405 The word was scarce out of his mouth when he was key-cold. |
b. fig. Entirely devoid of warmth of feeling; having no zeal or fervour; apathetic.
| 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. iii. xxvii. (1847) 313 The consideration of his incomparable kindness could not..fail to inflame our key-cold hearts. 1565 Stapleton Fortr. Faith 123 *Kaye colde christians. a 1659 Bp. Brownrig Serm. (1674) I. xxxi. 393 Men are many times..luke-warm, yea, key-cold in the execution of justice. a 1734 Wodrow Sel. Biog. (1845–7) I. 397 (E.D.D.) The nobility..are either key-cold, or ready to welcome Popery. |
† B. As n. (jocularly): A severe cold. Obs.
| 1602 Dekker Satirom. Wks. 1873 I. 206 Sir Adam is best you hide your head for feare Your wise braines take key-colde. |
Hence † key-coldness, utter coldness.
| 1641 R. Baillie Unlawf. Lim. Episc. 5 The greatest part of your professed vertue, we find to consist in a key-coldnes. |