close2

verb

• 1move so as to cover an opening: [no object]:she jumped on to the train just as the doors were closing [with object]:she closed the door quietly I kept closing my eyes and nodding off they had to close the window because of the insects
• [with object] block up (a hole or opening):close the hole with a plug of cotton wool figurativeStephen closed his ears to the sound
• [with object] bring two parts of (something) together so as to block its opening or bring it into a folded state:Loretta closed her mouth Rex closed the book
• [no object] (close around/over) come into contact with (something) so as to encircle and hold it:my fist closed around the weapon
• [with object] make (an electric circuit) continuous:this will cause a relay to operate and close the circuit

• 2bring or come to an end: [with object]:the members were thanked for attending and the meeting was closed [no object]:the concert closed with ‘Silent Night’ (as adjective closing)the closing stages of the election campaign
• [no object] finish speaking or writing:we close with a point about truth (as adjective closing)Nellie’s closing words
• [with object] bring (a business transaction) to a satisfactory conclusion:right now we are trying to close the deal with our sponsors

• 3 [no object] (of a business, organization, or institution) cease to be in operation or accessible to the public, either permanently or at the end of a working day or other period of time:the factory is to close with the loss of 150 jobs [with object]:a hoax call which closed the city’s stations for 4 hours
• [with object] remove all the funds from (a bank or building society account) and cease to use it: I went to the bank to close an account held by my daughter
• [with object] Computing make (a file) inaccessible after use, so that it is securely stored until required again: a statement is used to close a data file

• 4 [no object] gradually get nearer to someone or something:he tried to walk faster, but each time the man closed up on him again

noun

• 1the end of an event or of a period of time or activity:the afternoon drew to a close the seminar was brought to a close with a discussion of future trends
• (the close) the end of a day’s trading on a stock market:by the close the Dow Jones average was down 13.52 points at 2,759.84
• (the close) the end of a day’s play in a cricket match: at the close, Lancashire were 129 for 3
• Music the conclusion of a phrase; a cadence.

• 2the shutting of something, especially a door:the door jerked to a close behind them