Search results for 'open':

open adj 1 a said of a door or barrier, etc: not closed or locked; b said of a building or an enclosed space, etc: allowing people or things to go in or out; with its door or gate, etc not closed or locked. 2 said of a container, etc: a not sealed or covered; b with the insides visible • an open cupboard. 3 said of a space or area of land, etc: a not enclosed, confined or restricted • the open sea; b unobstructed • an open view. 4 not covered, guarded or protected • an open wound. 5 expanded, spread out or unfolded • an open newspaper. 6 said of a shop, etc: receiving customers; ready for business. 7 said of a river or port, etc: a free from ice or frost; unfrozen; b not closed for any other reason. 8 said of the climate or a season: free from frost. 9 sport a said of a player: not marked by a member of the opposing team; b said of a goal, etc: unguarded or unprotected; c said of a game or style of play, etc: with the action or players spread out over the field of play. 10 phonetics a said of a vowel: produced with the tongue positioned low in the mouth; b see separate entry open syllable. 11 said of cloth or a texture, etc: with a lot of small openings or gaps; loose. 12 music a said of a string: not stopped by a finger; b said of a note: played on an open string, or without holes on the instrument being covered. 13 math a see separate entry open set; b said of an interval in the real line: without either of its end points. 14 astron said of the universe: with a negative or zero radius of curvature; always expanding; infinite. 15 generally known; public. 16 (usually open to something) liable or susceptible to it; defenceless against it • leave oneself open to abuse. 17 said of a competition: not restricted; allowing anyone to compete or take part, especially both amateurs and professionals. 18 free from restraint or restrictions of any kind • the open fishing season. 19 said of a problem or discussion, etc: not finally decided; still to be settled. 20 unprejudiced • have an open mind. 21 (usually open to something) amenable to or ready to receive (eg new ideas or impressions) • open to suggestion. 22 said of a person: ready and willing to talk honestly; candid. verb (opened, opening) 1 a to unfasten or move (eg a door or barrier) to allow access; b intrans said of a door or barrier, etc: to become unfastened to allow access. 2 tr & intr to become or make something become open or more open, eg by removing obstructions, etc. 3 (also open out or open something out) tr & intr to spread it out or become spread out or unfolded, especially so as to make or become visible. 4 tr & intr to start or begin working • The office opens at nine. 5 to declare something open with an official ceremony • open the new hospital. 6 tr & intr to begin or start speaking or writing, etc • opened his talk with a joke. 7 to arrange (a bank account, etc), usually by making an initial deposit. 8 tr & intr, cricket to begin (the batting) for one's team. 9 intrans, law said of legal counsel: to make a preliminary statement about a case before beginning to call witnesses. 10 cards to bet or bid on a hand first. noun 1 (the open) an area of open country; an area not obstructed by buildings, etc. 2 (the open) public notice or attention (especially bring something into the open or out into the open). 3 (Open) often in compounds a sports contest which both amateurs and professionals may enter • the British Open. openable adj. openly adverb 1 in an open way. 2 without trying to hide anything; in a direct and honest manner. openness noun. open and above board thoroughly honest or legal. open fire to start shooting. with open arms warmly; cordially • welcomed him with open arms.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon.