Main Entry:

¹close

Pronunciation:

\ˈklōz\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

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 verb1 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 down2archaic : enclose, contain3 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 verb1 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 dancing4: 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

1: to refuse admission <the nation closed its doors to immigrants>2: to go out of business

— close one's eyes to

: to ignore deliberately

— close ranks

: to unite in a concerted stand especially to meet a challenge

— close the door

: to be uncompromisingly obstructive <closed the door to further negotiation>

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>.