turnkey

denoting a project, as in civil engineering, in which a single contractor has responsibility for the complete job from the start to the time of installation or occupancy

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

turnkey

[′tərn‚kē]

(computer science)

A complete computer system delivered to a customer in running condition, with all necessary premises, hardware and software equipment, supplies, and operating personnel.

turnkey system

A complete system of hardware and software delivered to the customer ready-to-run. In other words, just "turn the key" and go.

A Turnkey Video System

Varto Technologies combines the acclaimed Video Toaster (VT Series) system with a specialized keyboard, PC and Windows to offer a completely integrated video production and editing system (see Video Toaster). (Image courtesy of Varto Technologies, www.vartotechnologies.com)

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References in classic literature

'Any little sticks a coming to furnish it?' said the turnkey.

'Missis and little 'uns a coming to keep you company?' asked the turnkey.

'Even for a few weeks, OF course,' replied the turnkey. And he followed him again with his eyes, and nodded his head seven times when he was gone.

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Kit's mother, drying her eyes (and moistening them, poor soul, more than she dried them), now took from the ground a small basket, and submissively addressed herself to the turnkey, saying, would he please to listen to her for a minute?

The turnkey looked as if he thought the request a strange one and rather out of the common way, but nevertheless he laid down his paper, and coming round where Kit's mother stood, took the basket from her, and after inspecting its contents, handed it to Kit, and went back to his place.

Kit was on the point of mustering courage to ask Barbara's mother about Barbara, when the turnkey who had conducted him, reappeared, a second turnkey appeared behind his visitors, and the third turnkey with the newspaper cried 'Time's up!'--adding in the same breath 'Now for the next party!' and then plunging deep into his newspaper again.

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As we came out of the prison through the lodge, I found that the great importance of my guardian was appreciated by the turnkeys, no less than by those whom they held in charge.

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"You are very humble to-day," remarked the governor; "you are not so always; the other day, for instance, when you tried to kill the turnkey."

"It is here; unlock the door, Antoine." The turnkey obeyed, and the inspector gazed curiously into the chamber of the "mad abbe."

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Weller, who stationed himself at the back of the chair, whispered that the sitting was merely another term for undergoing an inspection by the different turnkeys, in order that they might know prisoners from visitors.

After some discussion, it was discovered that one of the turnkeys had a bed to let, which Mr.

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From this place, they passed through several strong gates, opened by other turnkeys from the inner side; and, having entered an open yard, ascended a flight of narrow steps, and came into a passage with a row of strong doors on the left hand.

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