Part 299

Half stifled by the closeness of the room. Swift.

We rise not against the piercing judgment of Augustus, nor the extreme caution or closeness of Tiberius. Bacon.

An affectation of closeness and covetousness. Addison.

Syn. -- Narrowness; oppressiveness; strictness; secrecy; compactness; conciseness; nearness; intimacy; tightness; stinginess; literalness.

Clos"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, closes; specifically, a boot closer. See under Boot.

2. A finisher; that which finishes or terminates.

3. (Masonry) The last stone in a horizontal course, if of a less size than the others, or a piece of brick finishing a course. Gwilt.

Close"reefed` (?), a. (Naut.) Having all the reefs taken in; -- said of a sail.

Close"-stool` (?), n. A utensil to hold a chamber vessel, for the use of the sick and infirm. It is usually in the form of a box, with a seat and tight cover.

Clos"et (?), n. [OF. closet little inclosure, dim. of clos. See Close an inclosure.] 1. A small room or apartment for retirement; a room for privacy.

A chair-lumbered closet, just twelve feet by nine. Goldsmith.

When thou prayest, enter into thy closet. Matt. vi. 6.

2. A small apartment, or recess in the side of a room, for household utensils, clothing, etc. Dryden.

Closet sin, sin commited in privacy. Bp. Hall.

Clos"et, v. t. [imp. & p. pr. & vb. n. Closeting.] 1. To shut up in, or as in, a closet; to conceal. [R.]

Bedlam's closeted and handcuffed charge. Cowper.

2. To make into a closet for a secret interview.

He was to call a new legislature, to closet its members. Bancroft.

He had been closeted with De Quadra. Froude.

Close"-tongued` (&?;), a. Closemouthed; silent. "Close-tongued treason." Shak.

Closh (?), n. [CF. F. clocher to limp, halt.] A disease in the feet of cattle; laminitis. Crabb.

Closh, n. [CF. D. klossen to play at bowls.] The game of ninepins. [Obs.] Halliwell.

Clo"sure (?, 135), n. [Of. closure, L. clausura, fr. clauedere to shut. See Close, v. t.] 1. The act of shutting; a closing; as, the closure of a chink.

2. That which closes or shuts; that by which separate parts are fastened or closed.

Without a seal, wafer, or any closure whatever. Pope.

3. That which incloses or confines; an inclosure.

O thou bloody prison . . . Within the guilty closure of thy walls Richard the Second here was hacked to death. Shak.

4. A conclusion; an end. [Obs.] Shak.