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 verb 1 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 down
2 archaic : enclose, contain
3 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 verb 1 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 dancing
4 : 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>.