close1
/kloss/ • 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 affectionate or intimate. 5 (of observation or examination) done in a careful and thorough way. 6 (of information) carefully guarded. 7 not willing to give away money or information. 8 uncomfortably humid or airless. • adverb so as to be very near; with very little space between. • noun 1 Brit. a residential street without through access. 2 Brit. the precinct surrounding a cathedral. — PHRASES close-fisted unwilling to spend money; mean. close-knit (of a group of people) united or bound together by strong relationships and common interests. close-mouthed reticent; discreet. at (or from) close quarters (or range) close to or from a position close to someone or something. close-run (of a contest or objective) won or lost by a very small margin. close shave (also close call) informal a narrow escape from danger or disaster. — DERIVATIVES closely adverb closeness noun. — ORIGIN Old French clos, from Latin claudere ‘close, enclose, shut’.
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