/ ˈklɒzɪt; NAmE ˈklɑːzət/ noun , adjective , verb
■ noun
( especially NAmE ) a small room or a space in a wall with a door that reaches the floor, used for storing things :
a walk-in closet
—compare cupboard , wardrobe
—see also water closet
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IDIOMS
- come out of the closet
—more at skeleton
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] used to describe people who want to keep some fact about themselves secret :
closet gays
I suspect he's a closet fascist.
■ verb
[ vn ] to put sb in a room away from other people, especially so that they can talk privately with sb, or so that they can be alone :
He was closeted with the President for much of the day.
She had closeted herself away in her room.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting a private or small room): from Old French , diminutive of clos closed, from Latin claudere to shut.