close

One entry found for close.

Main Entry: ¹close
Pronunciation: 'klOz
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
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 /'klO-z&-b&l/ 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>.