shift key
The "shift key" is a modifier key on keyboards, originating from typewriters, primarily used for capitalization and accessing alternate characters.
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Definition
A2Computing
(general)A key on a keyboard that, when held down, allows the typing of capital letters and alternate characters.
Example
- Hold the shift key and press the letter 'A' to type a capital 'A'.
- Pressing the shift key with the number '2' will type the '@' symbol.
B1Typewriting
(historical)A key on a typewriter used to shift the mechanism for typing uppercase letters and special characters.
Example
- On old typewriters, the shift key physically moved parts to type different characters.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shift key":
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