raktas

Raktas is a word in Lithuanian that primarily means "key" as used for a door lock. It appears in everyday language to refer to physical keys and in compound expressions describing keys for locks, mechanisms, and tools. Beyond its literal sense, raktas is used figuratively to denote a crucial element or solution, similar to "the key" in English.

In addition to its common use as a noun, raktas is also encountered as a surname in Lithuania and among Lithuanian communities abroad. It has contributed to toponymy and family names in regions influenced by Lithuanian language and culture, though specific examples vary by history and locality.

In technology and information security, the term is used for the word "key" in Lithuanian translations of technical terms. Common usages include šifravimo raktas (encryption key), viešasis raktas (public key), privatus raktas (private key), and pirminis raktas (primary key) in database contexts.

Raktas functions as both a common noun and a proper noun within Lithuanian-language contexts, reflecting its broad semantic range from everyday object to abstract concept and name.