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Glossary of Terms

MACS

(abb.) Maximum Adjacent Cut Specification
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Magic Number

(n.) In a properly combinated core, the numeric difference between the control cut and the size of the top pin.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Magnetic Contact

(n.) An electrical switch activated by magnetic attraction or repulsion.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Magnetic Latch

(n.) A latch which uses magnetic force to stay engaged with its strike.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Magnetic Stripe

(n.) A thin layer of material consisting of oriented ferromagnetic oxide particles held together by a resin binder and bonded to a non-magnetic surface such as paper or plastic.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Magnetically Positioned Pin

(n.) A pin tumbler requiring magnetic energy to position it, rather than springs or gravity.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Maid's Master Key

(n.) The master key in a hotel master key system given to the maid. It operates only cylinders of the guestrooms and linen closets in the maid's designated area.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Maison Key System

(n.) [from the French, meaning "house" key system] A keying system in which one or more cylinders are operated by every key (or relatively large numbers of different keys) in the system; e.g., main entrances of apartment buildings operated by all individual suite keys of the building.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Man Door

(n.) A door designed to allow access by a person. It may be located in a wall, or in another, larger, door which has other purposes.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Man Trap

(n.) A sally port designed for pedestrian traffic.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Manipulate

(v.) A dialing process typically used with combination locks to determine operational status of the lock, potential combinations or attempt to free the mechanism.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Manipulation

(n.) A opening method for mechanical combination locks which uses the tolerances of that lock to determine an opening combination.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Manipulation Key

(n.) Any key other than a correct key which can be variably positioned and/or manipulated in a keyway to operate a lock or cylinder.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Manipulation Proof

(n.) A combination lock with features designed to prevent determining the combination without physical attack.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Manipulation Resistant

(n.) A combination lock with features that prevent determining the combination without physical attack within a specific time limit.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Manual Dogging

(n.) 1. An exit device that requires a physical action to dog it.
(v.) 2. Using a wrench or a special key to dog an exit device.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Manufacturer Reset Code

(n.) In an electronic lock, a factory-set or user-set code or combination that will restore the factory default settings.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Blank

(n.) A key blank used in a complementary keyway lock, on which only the master key combination is intended to be cut.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Code

(n.) In an electronic lock, a factory-set or user-set combination that must be used before programming the lock.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Disc

(n.) A special disc tumbler with multiple gates to receive a sidebar.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Key Changes

(n.) The number of different usable change keys available under a given master key.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Key System

(n.) 1. Any keying arrangement which has two or more levels of keying.
(n.) 2. A keying arrangement which has exactly two levels of keying.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Key

(n.) 1. A key that opens every one of a given set of locks. Also called passkey.
(n.) 2. Key that secures entrance everywhere.
Source: Dictionary.com
(n.) 1. A key which operates all the master keyed locks or cylinders in a group, each lock or cylinder usually operated by its own change key.
(v.) 2. To combinate a group of locks or cylinders such that each is operated by its own change key as well as by a master key for the entire group.
(n.) 3. An automotive key which operates all or most locks on a vehicle where there is also a valet key employed.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Keyed

(adj.) 1. Of or pertaining to a cylinder or group of cylinders which are or are to be combinated so that all may be operated by their own change key(s) and by additional key(s) known as master key(s).
(adj.) 2. A warded lock whose warding has been designed to allow different hierarchies of keys to operate.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Keyed Only

(adj.) Of or pertaining to a lock or cylinder which is or is to be combinated only to a master key.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Lever

(n.) A lever tumbler which can align some or all other levers in its lock so that their gates are at the fence. It is typically used in locker locks.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Pin

(n.) 1. Usually a cylindrical shaped tumbler, flat on both ends, placed between the top and bottom pin to create an additional shear line.
(n.) 2. A pin tumbler with multiple gates to accept a sidebar.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Ring

(n.) A tube shaped sleeve located between the plug and shell of certain cylinders to create a second shear line. Normally the plug shear line is used for change key combinations and the shell shear line is used for master key combinations.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Ring Lock/Cylinder

(n.) A lock or cylinder equipped with a master ring.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Master Wafer

(n.) A ward used in certain binary type disc tumbler key-in-knob locks.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mat Switch

(n.) A flat semi flexible device which opens or closes a circuit when rated pressure is applied.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Matrix Format Master Keying

(n.) A method of generating combinations and assigning key symbols in a master key system through the use of a matrix.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Maximum Adjacent Cut Specification

(n.) The maximum allowable difference between adjacent cut depths.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Maximum Compound Cut Specification

(n.) The maximum allowable difference between the different depths of a compound cut.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Maximum Opposing Cut Specification

(n.) The maximum allowable depths to which opposing cuts can be made without breaking through the key blade. This is typically a consideration with dimple keys.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MCCS

(abb.) Maximum Compound Cut Specification
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Media Safe

(n.) A security container designed to maintain an internal temperature at which multi-media will remain reliable for a set period of time.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mesh Change

(n.) A type of hand change combination lock wheel, consisting of an inner and outer wheel which engage each other by intermeshing teeth.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Metal Desk Lock

(n.) A cabinet lock with a vertically sliding bolt located at the rear of the cylinder.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Meter Lock

(n.) 1. A padlock whose shackle consists of a single removable post, designed for locking utility meters or valves.
(n.) 2. Any of several small devices specifically designed to lock utility meters or valves and which require either a key or special wrench for removal.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Milling Cutter

(n.) A key machine cutter with relatively coarse pitch teeth as opposed to a rotary file cutter.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Milling Runout

(n.) The distinctive shape caused by the curved surface of milling cutters at the bow end of a key blade.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mis-Cut

(adj.) 1. Of or pertaining to a key which has been cut incorrectly.
(n.) 2. A mis-cut key.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MK

(abb.) Master Key
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MK Section

(abb.) Master Key Section
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MK'd

(abb.) Master Keyed
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MK'd Only

(abb.) Master Keyed Only
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MOCS

(abb.) Maximum Opposing Cut Specification
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mogul Cylinder

(n.) A pin tumbler cylinder with a diameter of 2.0", whose pins, springs, key, etc. may also be proportionally increased in size. It is frequently used in prison locks.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Monitor Pin

(n.) A device that requires a specific mechanical feature on a key, such as a protrusion or the lack of a cut in a specific area, to allow the lock to operate.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mortise

(v.) 1. To prepare by removing stock material from the edge of a door, drawer, frame or opening to create a recess which allows the flush fit or insetting of relevant lock or other hardware.
(n.) 2. The cavity prepared by mortising.
(adj.) 3. Of or pertaining to a locking device designed to fit in a mortise preparation.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mortise Cylinder

(n.) A threaded cylinder typically used in mortise locks of American manufacture.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mortise Exit Device

(n.) An exit device designed for mortise installation.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mortise Lock

(n.) A lock installed in a hollowed out or mortised cavity.
Source: Dictionary.com

Mortise Lockset

(n.) A lockset the case of which is designed to fit in a mortise in the edge of a door or drawer.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Motion Alarm Lock

(n.) A security locking device which audibly alerts upon sensing motion.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Movable Key Insert

(n.) Any device pressed into or connected to a key blank, such that its presence and movement are required for proper key operation, and the absence of which results in a lockout.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Movement

(n.) A mechanical, electronic or electro-mechanical timer, designed to inhibit the final unlocking of a combination lock or timelock.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MP

(abb.) Manipulation Proof
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MR

(abb.) Manipulation Resistant
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

MS

(abb.) Maximum Security. A trademark of the Adams Rite Manufacturing Co.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mullion

(n.) A vertical center post in the frame of a pair of doors.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Multi-Color Finish

(adj.) Of or pertaining to a lockset whose finish is different for different trim components on one side of a door.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Multi-Part Key

(n.) Any bit key not able to be duplicated by a single casting process.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Multi-Point Lock

(n.) A lock which has more than one bolt which are thrown and withdrawn simultaneously, often in more than one direction.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Multi-Section Key Blank

(n.) A key section which enters more than one, but not all keyways in a multiplex key system.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Multiple Gating

(n.) A means of master keying by providing a tumbler with more than one gate.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Multiplex Key Blank

(n.) Any key blank which is part of a multiplex key system.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Multiplex Key System

(n.) 1. A series of different key sections which may be used to expand a master key system by repeating bittings on additional key sections. The keys of one key section will not enter the keyway of another key section. This type of system always includes another key section which will enter more than one, or all of the keyways.
(n.) 2. A keying system which uses such keyways and key sections.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Muntin

(n.) A structural member in a door or window used to divide a large lite into smaller ones.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mushroom Pin

(n.) A pin tumbler, usually a top pin, which resembles a mushroom. It is typically used to increase pick resistance.
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council

Mykey Chart

(n.) A matrix depicting user requested cross keying by listing keys along one axis and openings along the other. So named because it is frequently accompanied by the statement "My key goes here and here and here."
Source: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council