How Do You Spell KEYBOARD BUTTON?
Pronunciation: [kˈiːbɔːd bˈʌtən] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [kˈiːbɔːd bˈʌtən] (IPA)
A keyboard button, also known as a key, refers to one of the several small, distinct, and labeled rectangular or square-shaped components found on a computer or typewriter keyboard. These buttons are designed to be pressed or struck by the fingertips to enter specific characters or commands into a text-based interface. The keyboard buttons are arranged in a grid-like pattern and are usually composed of a hard plastic material.
Each keyboard button is marked with either a alphabetical character, a number, a symbol, or a specific function. These characters represent the corresponding letter or command that will be inputted when the button is pressed. The buttons facilitate the process of typing and allow users to communicate, interact, or operate a computer system efficiently.
The keyboard buttons implement a mechanism known as a key switch which registers the user's input when the button is pressed down. The most commonly used type of key switch is the dome-switch, which comprises a plastic dome underneath each keyboard button. When the key is pressed, the dome collapses, causing an electrical contact to be made and corresponding information to be sent to the computer or device it is connected to.
In addition to individual key switches, keyboard buttons often have varying levels of tactile and auditory feedback, allowing users to feel or hear that a key has been pressed and registered. This feedback promotes accuracy and speed in typing.
Overall, a keyboard button is an essential component of a computer or typewriter keyboard, serving as a means to input characters and commands, facilitating communication and control within a text-based interface.
The etymology of the word "keyboard button" can be traced back to two key elements: "keyboard" and "button".
The term "keyboard" originated from the combination of two words: "key" and "board". "Key" comes from the Middle English word "keye", which refers to a small metal instrument used for opening locks or operating machinery. It ultimately derives from the Old English word "cǣg". "Board" comes from the Old English word "bord", which signifies a flat surface or plank.
The word "button" has a slightly different origin. It comes from the Old French word "bouton", which means a bud or a button-like object. This term, in turn, can be traced back to the Latin word "bottō", meaning "I push".
