close English · revision 3626

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: verb and noun “end”: UK /kləʊz/, US /kloʊz/; adjective and noun “enclosure”: UK /kləʊs/, US /kloʊs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ {{homograph|1|to shut}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=ine-pro *klau-}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|closen]], [[bor|fro|clos-]], the past-participle stem of [[m|fro|clore|t=to shut]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|claudere|t=to shut, close; to block up]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[ine-pro|*klau-|t=hook, peg]], things used as locks or bolts in early buildings.^(Etymonline) Middle English ''closen'' gradually replaced the earlier [[m|enm|clusen]], from Old English [[m|ang|beclysan|t=to close in, shut up]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The Latin verb is related to [[m|la|clāvis|t=key]], and the root also gave [[grc|κλείς|tr=kleís|t=bar, bolt, key]] and [[de|schließen|t=to shut]].^(Klein 1966)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) English relatives include [[clause]], [[closet]], [[closure]], [[cloister]], [[conclude]] and [[clavicle]].^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To shut, to cover in: about 1200 according to Etymonline,^(Etymonline) about 1280 according to Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The intransitive sense “to become shut” is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) and “to bring to an end” from about 1400.^(Etymonline) “To draw near to” is from the 1520s, and “to come together” from the 1550s, the idea behind the military ''close ranks'' of the mid-17th century.^(Etymonline) “To bring together the parts of”, as a book, is from the 1560s.^(Etymonline) The noun, “a closing, a conclusion”, is from the late 14th century^(Etymonline) or about 1399,^(Barnhart 1988) and in music, the end of a phrase, from the 1590s.^(Etymonline) The intransitive “to come to an end” is from 1826, and of stock prices from 1860.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – to shut.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – to become shut; noun, an end.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1400 – to bring to an end.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1520s – to draw near.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1550s – to come together.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1590s – noun, a musical cadence.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1826 – to come to an end.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1860 – of stock prices.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To move a door, lid or the like so as to cover an opening; to [[shut]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To bar access to; to fill or stop up.^(AHD)

+ # To stop the operation of, temporarily or for good.^(AHD)

+ # To bring or come to an end; to [[conclude]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To bring together or unite; to come to an agreement: ''close a deal''.^(AHD)

+ # To draw near; to come together: ''close ranks''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An end or [[conclusion]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(music)'' The end of a phrase; a [[cadence]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ {{homograph|2|near}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1380|origins=ine-pro *klau-}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The adjective is [[inh|enm|clos]], [[bor|fro|clos|t=confined; concealed, secret; taciturn]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|clausus|t=closed, reserved]], the past participle of [[m|la|claudere|t=to shut]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) and so goes back to the same root as [[close#1]].^(Etymonline) In part it is also the past participle of the English verb used as an adjective.^(Etymonline) The noun “enclosure” is from Old French [[m|fro|clos]], from Latin [[m|la|clausum|t=enclosure]].^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Closed, shut: probably about 1380,^(Barnhart 1988) and in the late 14th century also “strictly confined” and “secret”.^(Etymonline) The noun, a dwelling, is from about 1250, and an enclosed place from about 1280.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline explains that the main sense shifted to “near” in the late 15th century, from the verbal idea of closing the gap between two things.^(Etymonline) Of persons, “near” in a figurative sense, it is from the 1560s.^(Etymonline) “Stingy” is from the 1650s and “attentive to detail” from the 1660s,^(Etymonline) while ''close-fisted'' is from about 1600^(Etymonline) or 1608.^(Barnhart 1988) Of contests it is found by 1855.^(Etymonline) ''Close quarters'' is from 1753,^(Barnhart 1988) ''close range'' from 1814,^(Etymonline) and ''close-up'' from 1913.^(Barnhart 1988) The figurative ''close shave'' is American, from 1820 according to Etymonline^(Etymonline) or 1834 according to Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) and ''close call'' is from 1866^(Etymonline) or 1881.^(Barnhart 1988) The noun has meant the grounds around a cathedral since 1371.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1250 – noun, a dwelling.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1280 – noun, an enclosed place.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1371 – a cathedral close.^(HTOED)

+ * c. 1380 – closed, shut.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 15th century – near.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1560s – near in relationship.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1650s – stingy.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1753 – ''close quarters''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1820 – ''close shave''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1913 – ''close-up''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Near in space, time or relationship.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Bound by affection or loyalty; [[intimate]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # With little space between parts; tight, [[compact]].^(AHD)

+ # Decided by a narrow margin: ''a close race''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Attentive to detail; [[thorough]]: ''close inspection''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Shut in; stuffy, [[humid]].^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline)

+ # [[secretive|alt=Secretive]]; also, [[stingy]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In a close position or manner; closely.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An enclosed area, especially the grounds around a [[cathedral]].^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+ # ''(British)'' A narrow passage or [[alley]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clause]]

+ * [[closet]]

+ * [[closure]]

+ * [[cloister]]

+ * [[conclude]]

+ * [[include]]

+ * [[enclose]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary groups ''close'' with ''near'', ''nigh'', ''immediate'' and ''proximate'', all meaning not far away in space, time or relationship.^(AHD) It regards ''close proximity'' as redundant, but too widespread and harmless to object to.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}