ˈkey-ˌbearer
[f. key n.1 + bearer: OE. had cǽᵹbora in same sense.]
1. One who bears a key or keys. (Cf. key n.1 2.)
| 14.. Nominale in Wr.-Wülcker 684/9 Hic claviger, a kayberere. 1486 Lichfield Gild Ord. (E.E.T.S.) 22 The foure kayberers or ther deputies. 1552 Huloet, Kaye bearer or keper. 1778 R. Lowth Transl. Isaiah Notes (ed. 12) 254 The priestess of Juno is said to be the key-bearer of the Goddess. 1846 Ellis Elgin Marb. I. 120 The figure of a key-bearer. |
2. fig. One who is entrusted with authority symbolized by keys. Cf. key n.1 4 and key-keeper 2.
| a 1540 Barnes Wks. (1573) 262/2 S. Petter..commaundeth you that you shoulde bee alonely but ministers, & key-bearers of these keyes. 1669 Baxter Power Mag. & Ch. Past. ii. xi. (1671) 29 Christ made these Officers the Key-bearers of his Churches. 1895 Tablet 2 Nov. 700 The Prince of the Apostles, the key-bearer of eternal life. |
So ˈkey-bearing n. and a.
| 1669 Baxter Power Mag. & Ch. Past. ii. xii. (1671) 29 This Key-bearing power (never denyed them from Christs time). 1863 W. Cory Lett. & Jrnls. (1897) 93, I should have lost the respect of the key-bearing woman [= guide]. |