closed book noun (figurative)

1. A mystery, something about which one knows or understands nothing
2. A subject or matter that has been concluded and which is no longer for consideration, discussion, etc

closed-chainˈ adjective (chem)

Having a molecule in which the atoms are linked ringwise, like a chain with the ends united

closed circuit noun

1. An electrical circuit in which current flows when voltage is applied
2. A television system in which the transmission is restricted to a limited number of screens connected to the television camera by cables, etc (also closed-circuit television)

closed community noun (ecology)

A plant community that is so dense that no new species can colonize

closed couplet noun (prosody)

Two metrical lines whose grammatical structure and sense concludes at the end of the second line

closed-doorˈ see behind closed doors below.

closed-endˈ adjective

1. Having fixed limits
2. (of an investment trust) offering shares up to a limited number

closed-inˈ adjective

Claustrophobically enclosed

closed-loopˈ adjective

Denoting a computer system in which performance is controlled by comparing output with an expected standard

closedown see close down below.

closed population noun (biology)

A population in which there is no new gene input from outside and in which mutation is the only source of genetic variation

closed scholarship noun

A scholarship open only to those candidates able to fulfil certain criteria, such as attendance at a particular school, etc

closed set noun (mathematics)

A set in which the result of combining any two members of the set using a given operation always results in a member of the original set

closed shop noun

1. An establishment in which only members of a trade union, or of a particular trade union, will be employed
2. The principle or policy implied in such a regulation

closed syllable noun (phonetics)

One ending in a consonant

closing date noun

The date by which something must be submitted, completed, etc

closing price noun

The value of shares on the stockmarket when business stops for the day

closing time noun

The time at which business stops, esp in public houses

behind closed doors

In private, the public being excluded, as in court cases, committee meetings, etc (closed-doorˈ adjective)

close a bargain

To come to an agreement

close down

1. To come to a standstill or stoppage of work
2. (esp in team games, eg football) to slow the pace of a game and prevent the opposition from making any attacking manoeuvres
3. (of a television or radio station) to end a period of broadcasting
4. (of a business) to cease trading (closeˈdown noun)

close in

(of days) to contain a progressively shorter period of daylight, as between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice

close in upon

To surround and draw near to

close on

To catch up with

close one's eyes (euphemistic)

To die

close one's eyes to

To ignore or disregard purposely

close ranks

1. (of soldiers drawn up in line) to stand closer together in order to present a more solid front to the enemy
2. To unite, make a show of solidarity in order to protect a member or all the members of a group from attack

close up

1. To cease operating
2. To draw together

close with

1. To accede to
2. To grapple or engage in combat with

with closed doors same as behind closed doors (see above).

seal¹ /sēl/

noun

1. A piece of wax, lead or other material, stamped with a device and attached as a means of authentication or attestation
2. A substitute for this, such as a wafer or circular mark
3. A piece of wax, etc, stamped or not, used as a means of keeping something closed
4. The design stamped
5. An engraved stone or other stamp for impressing a device, or a trinket of similar form
6. An adhesive label, esp decorative, for a Christmas parcel, etc, sold for charity
7. A token or symbol to confirm a bargain, etc
8. Any device which keeps something closed
9. An obligation to secrecy
10. An impression
11. A device to prevent the passage of a gas, air, water, etc
12. Water in a gas trap
13. A road surface sealed with bitumen, etc (Aust and NZ)
14. An animal's, esp an otter's, footprint

transitive verb

1. To put a seal on
2. To stamp
3. To fasten with a seal
4. To give confirmation of
5. To ratify
6. To close up, esp permanently or for a long time
7. To enclose
8. To decide, settle irrevocably
9. To set apart
10. To seal (a road surface) with bitumen, etc, to tarmac (Aust and NZ)
11. To paint with a protective substance

intransitive verb

To set one's seal to something

sealˈable adjective

sealˈant noun

Any device or (esp cement-like) substance used to seal a gap to prevent the passage of water, etc

sealed adjective

sealˈer noun

1. A person or thing that seals
2. A substance used to coat a surface for protection, impermeability, etc

sealˈing noun

sealedˈ-beam adjective

(of car headlights) consisting of a complete unit sealed within a vacuum

sealed book noun

Something beyond one's knowledge or understanding (also closed book)

sealˈ-engraving noun

The art of engraving seals

sealing wax (also obsolete sealˈwax) noun

Formerly beeswax, now usu a composition of shellac, turpentine, vermilion or other colouring matter, etc, for making decorative seals

sealˈ-pipe noun

A dip-pipe

seal ring noun

A signet ring

Great Seal

(also without caps) the state seal of the United Kingdom

Lord Privy Seal

Formerly the keeper of the Privy Seal, now the senior cabinet minister without official duties

Privy Seal

(also without caps) formerly, the seal appended to documents that were to receive, or did not require, authorization by the Great Seal, in Scotland used esp to authenticate royal grants of personal rights

seal off

To make it impossible for any thing or person to leave or enter (eg an area)

set one's seal to or on

To give one's authority or assent to

the seals

Symbolically the office of Lord Chancellor or of Secretary of State

under seal

Authenticated

under sealed orders

Under orders only to be opened at a stated time