Close /(klōz)/

imp. & p. p. Closed; p. pr. & vb. n. Closing

1. To stop, or fill up, as an opening; to shut; as, to close the eyes; to close a door.
2. To bring together the parts of; to consolidate; as, to close the ranks of an army; -- often used with up.
3. To bring to an end or period; to conclude; to complete; to finish; to end; to consummate; as, to close a bargain; to close a course of instruction.

   One frugal supper did our studies close.

4. To come or gather around; to inclose; to encompass; to confine.

   The depth closed me round about.

   But now thou dost thyself immure and close In some one corner of a feeble heart.

1. To come together; to unite or coalesce, as the parts of a wound, or parts separated.

   What deep wounds ever closed without a scar?

2. To end, terminate, or come to a period; as, the debate closed at six o'clock.
3. To grapple; to engage in hand-to-hand fight.

   They boldly closed in a hand-to-hand contest.

1. The manner of shutting; the union of parts; junction. [Obs.]

   The doors of plank were; their close exquisite.

2. Conclusion; cessation; ending; end.

   His long and troubled life was drawing to a close.

3. A grapple in wrestling.
4. The conclusion of a strain of music; cadence. (Mus.)

   At every close she made, the attending throng Replied, and bore the burden of the song.

1. An inclosed place; especially, a small field or piece of land surrounded by a wall, hedge, or fence of any kind; -- specifically, the precinct of a cathedral or abbey.

   Closes surrounded by the venerable abodes of deans and canons.

2. A narrow passage leading from a street to a court, and the houses within. [Eng.]
3. The interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not inclosed. (Law)

1. Shut fast; closed; tight; as, a close box.

   From a close bower this dainty music flowed.

2. Narrow; confined; as, a close alley; close quarters.
3. Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude; -- said of the air, weather, etc.

   If the rooms be low-roofed, or full of windows and doors, the one maketh the air close, . . . and the other maketh it exceeding unequal.

4. Strictly confined; carefully quarded; as, a close prisoner.
5. Out of the way observation; secluded; secret; hidden.

   “Her close intent.”

6. Disposed to keep secrets; secretive; reticent.
7. Having the parts near each other; dense; solid; compact; as applied to bodies; viscous; tenacious; not volatile, as applied to liquids.

   The golden globe being put into a press, . . . the water made itself way through the pores of that very close metal.

8. Concise; to the point; as, close reasoning.
9. Adjoining; near; either in space; time, or thought; -- often followed by to.

   Plant the spring crocuses close to a wall.

   The thought of the Man of sorrows seemed a very close thing -- not a faint hearsay.

10. Short; as, to cut grass or hair close.
11. Intimate; familiar; confidential.

    League with you I seek And mutual amity, so strait, so close, That I with you must dwell, or you with me.

12. Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; as, a close vote.
13. Difficult to obtain; as, money is close.
14. Parsimonious; stingy.
15. Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact; strict; as, a close translation.
16. Accurate; careful; precise; also, attentive; undeviating; strict; not wandering; as, a close observer.
17. Uttered with a relatively contracted opening of the mouth, as certain sounds of e and o in French, Italian, and German; -- opposed to open. (Phon.)

1. In a close manner.
2. Secretly; darkly. [Obs.]

   A wondrous vision which did close imply The course of all her fortune and posterity.