1650s, "jailer," from turn (v.) + key (n.). In reference to a job that only has to be done only once, it is recorded from 1934. The notion probably is of something that can be accomplished with a single turn of a key.
双语例句
1. The turnkey fired the little pile, which blazed high and hot.
看守点燃了这堆东西, 火苗蹿得很高,也很热.
来自英汉文学 - 双城记
2. You are a turnkey at the Conciergerie? "
你在附属监狱管牢房么? ”
来自英汉文学 - 双城记
3. During this melancholy pause , the turnkey read his newspaper with a waggish look.
在这个忧郁的停歇期间, 看守滑稽地阅读着报纸.
来自辞典例句
4. The contract's going to a British / Swedish joint venture, on a turnkey basis.
本合同将以交钥匙工程为基础,由一家英国/瑞典合资企业承包.
来自国际金融英语口语
5. They went out. The turnkey closed the door behind them.
