I. ˈklōz verb
( closed ; clos·ing )
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
• clos·able or close·able ˈklō-zə-bəl adjective
•
- close one's doors
- close one's eyes to
- close ranks
- close the door
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. ˈklōz 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. ˈklōs, U.S. also ˈklōz 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. ˈklōs adjective
( clos·er ; clos·est )
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
• close·ly adverb
• close·ness noun
•
- close to home
- close to the bone
- close to the vest
V. ˈklōs adverb
Date: 15th century
: in a close position or manner