clud-, claud-, claus-, clos-, -clude, -clois, -cluding, -cluded, -clus, -clusion, -clusive

(Latin: to close, to shut)

aclusion (s) (noun), aclusions (pl)
Absence of the alignment of the opposing teeth surfaces: The dentist told Woodrow that the aclusion of his teeth in the upper and lower jaws indicated that his teeth were not coming together properly when he chewed his food.
aqua exclusa (s) (noun) (no plural)
Water shut out: Aqua exclusa is Latin for a barrier to keep water out and is now known as a flood gate or a sluice."
aquiclude (s) (noun), aquicludes (pl)
An impermeable body of rock or stratum of sediment that acts as a barrier to the flow of groundwater.
buccoclusion (s) (noun), buccoclusions (pl)
A malocclusion (bad contacts of surfaces) in which the dental arch or the quadrant of a dental arch or group of teeth is positioned closer to the cheek than normal.
clause (s) (noun), clauses (pl)
1. A separate section of a legal document: "There was a clause in the will indicating a special provision for his children."
2. A group of words containing a subject and a predicate and forming part of a compound or complex sentence: "Clauses that express a complete thought are called independent because they can stand alone; while clauses that do not express a complete thought are called dependent because they cannot stand alone."
3. Etymology: from Old French clause, from Medieval Latin clausa, "conclusion", from Latin clausula, "the end, a closing, a termination"; also "end of a sentence or a legal argument"; from clausus, claudere, "to close, to shut, to conclude".
claustral (adjective), more claustral, most claustral
1. Of or related to a cloister or to a seclusion from the world: "The elderly couple lived a claustral life in which they separated from a normal existence in the world."
2. Etymology: from Latin claustrum, "bolt, bar". The Latin claustrum stands for claudtrom and literally means "that by which anything is shut up", and is formed from claudere, "to shut".
cloister (s) (noun), cloisters (pl)
1. A covered walk with an open colonnade on one side, running along the walls of buildings that face a quadrangle: "The royal family lived for generations in a cloister and enjoyed their enclosed gardens that are surrounded by covered walkways."
2. A place; especially, a monastery or a convent that is devoted to religious seclusion: "She spent most of her life in a cloister as a nun."
cloister (verb), cloisters; cloistered; cloistering
1. To surround with a cloister, as of a garden: "The family moved to a new residence that was cloistered with beautiful gardens."
2. To seclude from the world in or as if in a cloister: "Just about every working day, she was cloistering herself in her office because she had so much work to do."
cloistered (adjective)
1. Separated from the rest of the world: "The artist lead a private, cloistered life in the mountains."
2. A reference to being protected from the problems and concerns of daily life: "The two families spent most of their lives cloistered on their farms providing for their children and their elderly parents."
closable, closeable (KLOZ uh buhl) (adjective) (not comparable)
Capable of blocking against entry or passage; having the possibility to shut, lock, or fasten something: The closable windows that were powered with electrical devices were easier to utilize than those that required pulling up or pushing down with one's hands.
close (KLOHZ) (s) (noun)
The end of an activity or a period of time: "At some schools, students vote for for their favorite teachers at the close of each year."

"The singer brought the show to a close by singing her most popular song."

close (KLOHS) (adjective), closer, closest
1. Being near in space or time; not far away: "The deadline for the report is getting closer each day."

"They weren't home yet, but they were getting much closer."

2. Being near in relationship: "Her close relatives were coming to the wedding."
3. Bound by mutual interests, loyalties, or affections; intimate: "His close friends were helping him."
4. Having little or no space between elements or parts; tight and compact: "The sweater had a close weave."
5. Being near the surface; short: "He really has a close haircut."
6. Being on the brink of: "She was close to tears when she heard the news."
7. Decided by a narrow margin; almost even: "This was a very close election."
8. Faithful to the original: "The painting was a close copy of the artist's work."
9. Rigorous; thorough: "The group paid close attention to the details of the project as a result of the close supervision of the experts."
10. Confining or narrow; crowded: "As a result of the tornado, they had to live in close quarters at the shelter."
11. Fitting tightly: "The close garments were simply too uncomfortable."
12. Lacking fresh air; stuffy: "The had to stay in small, close room."
13. Confined to specific people or groups: "Remember, this is supposed to be a close secret."
14. Strictly confined or guarded: "The police kept the robbers under close custody."
15. Secretive; reticent: "His mother was close about her personal life."
16. Giving or spending with reluctance; stingy: "They were close with their money."
close (KLOHZ) (verb), closes; closed; closing
1. To move something, so that an opening, a passage, or a hole is covered or blocked; to shut: "She was closing the door and locking it for the night."

"Fortunately, the door closed quietly instead of slamming and disturbing the other sleepers."

2. To bring the edges or ends of something together, or to be brought together: "He had to close his eyes and take a little nap."

"The doctor closed the wound."

3. To stop working or operating, or to shut a store or business, for a short period of time or overnight: "The manager closed and locked the door of the store for the night."
4. To come to an end, or to end something; such as, an activity, a period of time, or some spoken or written text.
5. To reduce the distance between two people or things, especially in a race or a chase.
6. To complete a transaction successfully; for example, a business deal or a house purchase.
7. To have a particular value at the end of a day's trading on a stock exchange: "The share prices closed lower in heavy trading."
8. To perform a series of operations necessary to deactivate a computer file or program and to store it for later use.
9. To bar access to: "The road was closed to traffic for repairs."
10. To fill or to stop up something: "The worker closed the cracks in the wall with plaster."
11. To bring to an end or to terminate: "He closed the bank account."
12. To join or to unite by bringing something into contact: "He closed the electrical circuit."
close call (s) (noun), close calls (pl)
An escape from harm which was almost not successful: "They almost didn't get out of the burning building in time and they realized that it was a very close call."
closed (KLOHZ'd) (adjective)
1. Covering an opening: "Are you sure that all of the closed windows are locked?"
2. Having an opening that is covered: "The doctor told her patient that he could now open his closed eyes."

"He looked at her with half-closed eyes."

3. Not open or operating to the public: "The closed fitness studio will open at 8:30 in the morning."
4. No longer allowed to be discussed: "A closed discussion means that there is to be no further comments regarding the subject."
5. That which happens in private; therefore, not allowing the public to participate or to know what is being said: "The reporter was not able to witness the closed session of Congress."
6. Someone who is unwilling to listen to or to accept different ideas opinions: "At first, she had a closed mind, but then she understood that a change was necessary."