Search results for 'close':

close¹ adj 1 near in space or time; at a short distance. 2 a near in relationship • a close relation; b intimate. 3 touching or almost touching. 4 tight; dense or compact; with little space between • a close fit. 5 near to the surface • a close haircut. 6 thorough; searching • a close reading. 7 said of a contest, etc: with little difference between entrants, etc. 8 (often close to something) about to happen, on the point of doing it, etc • close to tears. 9 similar to the original, or to something else • a close resemblance. 10 uncomfortably warm; stuffy. 11 secretive. 12 mean • close with money. 13 heavily guarded • under close arrest. 14 old use shut; closed; confined. 15 said of an organization, etc: restricted in membership. adverb 1 often in compounds in a close manner; closely • close-fitting • follow close behind. 2 at close range. closely adverb a in a close way; b with close attention • shall watch them closely. closeness noun. at close quarters 1 at close range; near to someone or something. 2 said of fighting: hand-to-hand, one individual fighting another. close at or to hand near by; easily available. close on or to nearly; almost • close on a thousand. close to one's chest without revealing one's intentions; secretive. close to home uncomfortably close to the truth, or to a sensitive matter.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from French clos closed, from Latin claudere, clausum to close.

close² verb (closed, closing) 1 tr & intr to shut. 2 (sometimes close something off) to block (a road, etc) so as to prevent use. 3 tr & intr said of shops, etc: to stop or cause to stop being open to the public for a period of time. 4 tr & intr said of a factory, business, etc: to stop or cause to stop operating permanently. 5 tr & intr to conclude; to come or bring to an end; to stop (discussion, etc of something) • He closed with a joke. 6 tr & intr to join up or come together; to cause edges, etc, of something to come together. 7 to settle or agree on something • close a deal. 8 intrans, econ said of currency, shares, etc: to be worth (a certain amount) at the end of a period of trading • The pound closed three cents up on the dollar. noun an end or conclusion. close one's eyes to something to pretend not to notice it. close ranks 1 said of soldiers drawn up in line: to stand closer together so as to present a solid front to the enemy. 2 to unite in the face of a common threat or danger.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from French clos, from Latin claudere to close.

close³ noun 1 in Scotland, especially Glasgow: a narrow indoor passage leading from the street to the stair of a tenement building. 2 (Close) used as the name of a residential street, often a cul-de-sac • Brookside Close. 3 the land and buildings surrounding and belonging to a cathedral.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c as clos: from Latin clausum enclosure.