- close
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I. verb
(closed; closing)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French clos-, stem of clore, from Latin claudere to shut, close; perhaps akin to Greek kleiein to close — more at clavicle
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. to move so as to bar passage through something <close the gate> b. to block against entry or passage <close a street> c. to deny access to <the city closed the beach> d. screen, exclude <close a view> e. to suspend or stop the operations of <close school> — often used with down 2. archaic enclose, contain 3. a. to bring to an end or period <close an account> b. to conclude discussion or negotiation about <the question is closed>; also to consummate by performing something previously agreed <close a transfer of real estate title> c. to terminate access to (a computer file or program) 4. a. to bring or bind together the parts or edges of <a closed book> b. to fill up (as an opening) c. to make complete by circling or enveloping or by making continuous <close a circuit> d. to reduce to nil <closed the distance to the lead racer> intransitive verb 1. a. to contract, fold, swing, or slide so as to leave no opening <the door closed quietly> b. to cease operation <the factory closed down> <the stores close at 9 p.m.> 2. a. to draw near <the ship was closing with the island> b. to engage in a struggle at close quarters ; grapple <close with the enemy> 3. a. to come together ; meet b. to draw the free foot up to the supporting foot in dancing 4. to enter into or complete an agreement <close on a deal> 5. to come to an end or period <the services closed with a short prayer> 6. to reduce a gap <closed to within two points> • closable or closeable adjective Synonyms: close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished <close a debate>. end conveys a strong sense of finality <ended his life>. conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting) <the service concluded with a blessing>. finish may stress completion of a final step in a process <after it is painted, the house will be finished>. complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken <the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement>. terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space <your employment terminates after three months>. II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. a coming or bringing to a conclusion <at the close of the party> b. a conclusion or end in time or existence ; cessation <the decade drew to a close> c. the concluding passage (as of a speech or play) 2. the conclusion of a musical strain or period ; cadence 3. archaic a hostile encounter 4. the movement of the free foot in dancing toward or into contact with the supporting foot III. noun Etymology: Middle English clos, literally, enclosure, from Anglo-French clos, from Latin clausum, from neuter of clausus, past participle Date: 13th century 1. a. an enclosed area b. chiefly British the precinct of a cathedral 2. chiefly British a. a narrow passage leading from a street to a court and the houses within or to the common stairway of tenements b. a road closed at one end IV. adjective (closer; closest) Etymology: Middle English clos, from Anglo-French, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere Date: 14th century 1. having no openings ; closed 2. a. confined or carefully guarded <close arrest> b. (1) of a vowel high 13 (2) formed with the tongue in a higher position than for the other vowel of a pair 3. restricted to a privileged class 4. a. secluded, secret b. secretive <she could tell us something if she would…but she was as close as wax — A. Conan Doyle> 5. strict, rigorous <keep close watch> 6. hot and stuffy <a room with an uncomfortably close atmosphere> 7. not generous in giving or spending ; tight 8. having little space between items or units <a close weave> <a close grain> 9. a. fitting tightly or exactly <a close fit> b. very short or near to the surface <a close haircut> 10. being near in time, space, effect, or degree <at close range> <close to my birthday> <close to the speed of sound> 11. intimate, familiar <close friends> 12. a. very precise and attentive to details <a close reading> <a close study> b. marked by fidelity to an original <a close copy of an old master> c. terse, compact 13. decided or won by a narrow margin <a close baseball game> 14. difficult to obtain <money is close> 15. of punctuation characterized by liberal use especially of commas Synonyms: see stingy • closely adverb • closeness noun V. adverb Date: 15th century in a close position or manner
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
