CLOSE

v. & n. --v. 1 a tr. shut (a lid, box, door, room, house, etc.). b intr. be shut (the door closed slowly). c tr. block up. 2 a tr. & intr. bring or come to an end. b intr. finish speaking (closed with an expression of thanks). c tr. settle (a bargain etc.). 3 a intr. end the day's business. b tr. end the day's business at (a shop, office, etc.). 4 tr. & intr. bring or come closer or into contact (close ranks). 5 tr. make (an electric circuit etc.) continuous. 6 intr. (foll. by with) express agreement (with an offer, terms, or the person offering them). 7 intr. (often foll. by with) come within striking distance; grapple. 8 intr. (foll. by on) (of a hand, box, etc.) grasp or entrap. --n. 1 a conclusion, an end. 2 Mus. a cadence. øclose down 1 (of a shop, factory, etc.) discontinue business, esp. permanently. 2 Brit. (of a broadcasting station) end transmission esp. until the next day. close one's eyes 1 (foll. by to) pay no attention. 2 die. close in 1 enclose. 2 come nearer. 3 (of days) get successively shorter with the approach of the winter solstice. close out US discontinue, terminate, dispose of (a business). close up 1 (often foll. by to) move closer. 2 shut, esp. temporarily. 3 block up. 4 (of an aperture) grow smaller. 5 coalesce. closing-time the time at which a public house, shop, etc., ends business. øøclosable adj. closer n. [ME f. OF clos- stem of clore f. L claudere shut]