entasten

Entasten is a German verb formed with the prefix ent- and the noun Tasten (keys, touch controls). The term is not common in everyday language and appears mainly in technical or specialized contexts. Its general sense is the act of detaching, removing, or disassembling keys or key-related components from a device or instrument.

In hardware maintenance and instrument repair, entasten describes the physical process of taking off keycaps or dismantling a keyboard or keyboard-like component to access underlying parts for cleaning, repair, or replacement. For example, a technician might entasten a mechanical keyboard to replace worn switches or to inspect the circuitry. In musical instrument contexts, such as pianos or typewriters, the word can be used to denote removing key assemblies as part of a repair or restoration workflow, though more common phrasing is often used.

In computing and user-interface discussions, entasten can be used metaphorically to refer to unbinding or removing default keyboard shortcuts or key bindings in software. This sense is informal and context-dependent; more typical German phrasing would be to say Tasten entheben, Tastenbelegung entfernen, or Tastenkombinationen deaktivieren.

Etymology: from ent- meaning removal or reversal plus Tasten (keys, touch controls). The term may appear in compound forms and in nominal use as Entasten to denote the act itself.

Usage notes: Entasten is not a standard dictionary headword in general usage. When communicating clearly, speakers often opt for more common alternatives such as Tasten entfernen, Tastenkürzel abändern, or Tastaturteile lösen, depending on the domain. See also Tasten, Tastatur, Tastenkombination.