English

high-key

From high + key.

A compound of high + key

Proto-Indo-European *kewk- ‘to bend’

Proto-Germanic *hauhaz

Proto-West Germanic *hauh

Old English hēah ‘high’

Middle English high

English high

Proto-West Germanic *kaiju

Old English cǣġ ‘key’

Middle English keye ‘a key’

English key

Today it means

adj Characterized by light tones and the absence of a shadow.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / high-key