society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > form (line, column, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > close up (ranks or files) (5)
transitive. To cause to stand in close order, to close up (the ranks).
to close ranksor files: to bring those composing them in close order so as to leave no gaps or slack parts. Also figurative and absol.
intransitive. Military. Of a row or rank of soldiers: to stand very close to the next rank. Also transitive (in passive). Cf. lock-step, v. Obsolete.