nøkkel

Nøkkel is a Norwegian noun meaning a key, the small instrument used to operate locks such as those on doors, safes, or vehicles. The term is also used in cartography to refer to a map’s legend or key, which explains the symbols used on the map. In broader usage, nøkkel can denote something that is essential or decisive in a process, often expressed as “the key to success.”

In information technology and cryptography, nøkkel denotes a cryptographic key used for encryption, decryption, and digital signatures. In Norwegian IT vocabulary, terms such as offentlig nøkkel (public key) and privat nøkkel (private key) are common when discussing security, authentication, and cryptographic protocols.

Grammatical notes: nøkkel is a masculine noun. The indefinite singular is en nøkkel; the indefinite plural is nøkler, and the definite plural is nøklene. The word belongs to the Germanic language family and has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish nøgle and Swedish nyckel.