Close

(klōs.) [From L. claudo, to shut.] (Law.) An interest in the soil, or in the trees and growing crops thereon.-(Her.) A bird is said to be close, when represented with its wings lowered and lying close to the body.-Close vowel, a vowel articulated by a contraction of the lips.-(Naut.) A ship is said to lie close to the wind when sailing close-hauled, that is to say, as near the wind as po ible, and with her yards braced up. [s. 198]