close

close
close, closely
The adjective close merges into an adverb in uses such as come close, lie close, run close, stick close, etc., especially in figurative uses:

• Opera and large gatherings ran each other close for first place among her dislikes —J. Aiken, 1977

• By this time his work had come close to complete abstraction —I. Chilvers, 2000.

The adverb closely dates from the 16c and is used as an adverb of manner or degree, often in non-physical contexts:

• The only language closely related to Sinhalese is Maldivian —Language, 1972

• We recognize that we will be closely scrutinized by the government —CNN news transcripts, 2004 [OEC].

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close, shut verbs.
Close has a greater implication of formality and politeness than does shut, which often sounds merely peremptory. Close the door suggests an invitation and can have undertones of intimacy, whereas Shut the door is a more straightforward and businesslike command. Closed is also used in a number of fixed expressions: a closed book, a closed shop, behind closed doors, a closed society.

Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • close — vb 1 Close, shut are very close synonyms in the sense of to stop or fill in an opening by means of a closure (as a door, a gate, a lid, or a cover) and are often used interchangeably. However, they may have distinctive nuances of meaning and… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Close — (kl[=o]s), a. [Compar. {Closer} (kl[=o] s[ e]r); superl. {Closest}.] [Of. & F. clos, p. p. of clore. See {Close}, v. t.] 1. Shut fast; closed; tight; as, a close box. [1913 Webster] From a close bower this dainty music flowed. Dryden. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • close — close1 [klōs] adj. closer, closest [ME clos < OFr < L clausus, pp. of claudere (see CLOSE2); senses under II from notion “with spaces or intervals closed up”] I denoting the fact or state of being closed or confined 1. shut; not open 2.… …   English World dictionary

  • close — 1 vb closed, clos·ing vt 1: to bring to an end or to a state of completion closed the case close an estate by liquidating its assets closing his account 2: to con …   Law dictionary

  • close — Ⅰ. close [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) only a short distance away or apart in space or time. 2) (of a connection or resemblance) strong. 3) denoting someone who is part of a person s immediate family. 4) (of a relationship or the people conducting it) very… …   English terms dictionary

  • Close — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Alex Close, belgischer Radrennfahrer Brian Close, englischer Cricketspieler Charles Close, britischer Geograph Chuck Close (* 1940), US amerikanischer Maler Del Close, US amerikanischer Schauspieler und… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Close To Me — Single par The Cure extrait de l’album The Head on the Door Face A Close to Me Face B A Man Inside My Mouth Sortie 17 septembre 1985 Enregistrem …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Close to Me — Single par The Cure extrait de l’album The Head on the Door Face A Close to Me Face B A Man Inside My Mouth Sortie 17 septembre 1985 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Close — may refer to: Close (surname) In music: Close , a song by Rascal Flatts from Unstoppable Close , a song by Soul Asylum from Candy from a Stranger Close , a song by Westlife from Coast to Coast Close (to the Edit) , a song by Art of Noise Other:… …   Wikipedia

  • close — [adj1] near, nearby abutting, across the street, adjacent, adjoining, approaching, around the corner, at hand, contiguous, convenient, give or take a little*, handy, hard by, immediate, imminent, impending, in spitting distance*, in the ball… …   New thesaurus

  • Close Up — Бокс сет Элвиса Пресли Дата выпуска …   Википедия

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