closeness Hear it!

Variant of close¹

close¹ Definition

close (klōs)

adjective closer clos′er, closest clos′·est

Etymology: ME clos < OFr < L clausus, pp. of claudere (see close); senses under II from notion “with spaces or intervals closed up”

adverb closer clos′er, closest clos′·est

in a close manner

Related Forms:

close¹ Idioms

close to the wind

  1. Naut. heading as closely as possible in the direction from which the wind is blowing
  2. barely avoiding what is unlawful

Variant of close²

close² Definition

close (klōz)

transitive verb closed, closing clos′·ing

  1. to move (a door, lid, etc.) to a position that covers the opening; shut
  2. to bar entrance to or exit from to close a street
  3. to fill up or stop (an opening)
  4. to draw the edges of together to close an incision
  5. to clench (a fist)
  6. to bind together; unite to close forces
  7. to bring to an end; finish
  8. to stop or suspend the operation of (a school, business, etc.)
  9. to complete or make final (a sale, agreement, etc.)
  10. to make stubbornly resistant to close one's mind

Etymology: ME closen < OFr clos-, stem of clore < L claudere, to close, block up < IE base *klēu, klāu-, hook, crooked or forked branch, close with a hook or bar > slot, lot, Gr kleistos, closed, L clavis, key, clavus, nail, OIr clo, nail, Ger schliessen, to lock

intransitive verb

  1. to undergo shutting the door closes quietly
  2. to come to an end
    1. to end or suspend operations the store closes at noon
    2. in the stock exchange, to show an indicated price level at the day's end steel closed high
  3. to have its edges become joined together the wound has closed
  4. to come together
  5. to take hold her hand closed on the package
  6. to throng closely together his friends closed about him
  7. to lessen an intervening distance; gain closing on the leading runner
  8. to make contact or come close, as in order to begin fighting
  9. to arrive at an agreement

noun

  1. a closing or being closed
  2. the final part or conclusion; end
  3. Archaic a hand-to-hand encounter
close² Idioms

close down

  1. ☆ to shut or stop entirely
  2. ☆ to settle down (on), as darkness or a fog

close in

to draw near from various directions, cutting off escape on all sides; surround

close out

to dispose of (goods) by sale, as in ending a business

close round

to encircle; surround

close up

  1. to draw nearer together
  2. to shut or stop up entirely
  3. to heal, as a wound does

Variant of close³

close³ Definition

close (klōs)

noun

  1. an enclosed place, as a farmyard
  2. enclosed grounds around or beside a building a cathedral close
  3. a narrow street or passageway; also, a dead-end street

Etymology: ME clos < OFr < L clausum, orig., neut. pp. of claudere: see close