closelyadv.
/ˈkləʊsli/, U.S. /ˈkloʊsli/ In a close manner; usually opposed to openly.† 3. Secretly, covertly, privately, privily. Obsolete.
1. So as to leave no passage out or in; ‘without inlet or outlet’ (Johnson). Hence, in a place strictly shut up, in close confinement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > [adverb] > so as to leave no passage in or out
closely1597
hermetically1605
airtightly1800
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > confinement > [adverb]
straitc1330
covertly1430
straitly1487
at (also to) hard meat1542
close1562
closely1597
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. i. 38 This day should Clarence closely be mewed vp. View more context for this quotation
a1691 R. Boyle Wks. (1772) I. 604 Putting the mixture into a crucible closely luted.
1891 N.E.D. at Closely Mod. Henry was closely confined in the Tower. This room has been closely shut up.
2. spec. With closed lips, inarticulately.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adverb] > in a mumbling or indistinct manner
closely1564
mafflingly1565
thick1589
fumblingly1598
mumblingly1662
grumblingly1677
mutteringlyc1681
clippingly1849
amutter1856
splutteringly1941
splodgily1963
slurrily1969
1564 T. Harding Answere to Iuelles Chalenge iii. f. 58 Bishops and priestes shuld celebrate..the Masse, not closely, but with vtterance and sownde of voice, that they might be heard of the people.
1579 W. Fulke Refut. Rastels Confut. in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 771 The wordes of consecration by no authoritie..ought to be pronounced closelye.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [adverb]
stillyc1000
dernlyc1175
dernea1200
privement?c1225
hidlingsa1250
in hidela1300
in scubardisa1300
stilla1300
hidel-likea1325
privyc1330
ywryȝeliche1340
in secre wysec1374
hidinglya1382
hidlya1382
in privy1384
closea1387
secrelyc1386
stalworthlya1400
covertlyc1400
secrec1405
in hidlings1422
secretly1447
secretementc1470
in secret1474
hugger-muggera1529
in hugger-mugger1529
secret1539
underboard1548
closely1552
darkly1559
in secret wise1563
hiddenly1580
tectly1587
underwater1600
concealedly1622
underground1632
occultly1641
in petto1647
under the rosea1704
subterraneously1791
suppressedly1825
underfoot1860
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adverb]
privement?c1225
privilya1250
asidesc1384
out of commonaltya1400
privatelyc1425
privatec1443
asidec1460
in private1469
under the rose1546
closely1552
on private1582
in particular1585
retiredly1599
sotto voce1819
in camera1826
on the quiet1856
on the (strict) q.t.1885
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Beare closely, priuely, or secretly.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. L6 It shall be done so cloosely, as no dogges shall barke at it.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. i. 31 We haue closely sent for Hamlet hether. View more context for this quotation
1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. i. 96 If the King did closely or apertly, study or goe about to breake or alter this agreement.
4. In close proximity:
a. Near to some person or thing specified or understood. Hence with hold, keep, etc., sometimes implying restraint (see quots. 1656, 1879): narrowly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > nearness > [adverb] > nearly or closely
nighlyOE
nighc1387
throng?a1425
justc1440
narrowly1487
foot-hot1513
meeta1522
hardly1554
fastlings1568
nearly1569
neara1592
close1596
closely1634
nicely1690
narrow1697
snugly1800
snug1831
tight1888
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > confinement > [adverb] > closely (of confinement)
narroweOE
strictly1609
closely1634
crampingly1891
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 189 This famous Isle..by which we closely trauelled.
1656 A. Cowley Resurrection in Pindaric Odes iv. 22 Hold thy Pindarique Pegasus closely in.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc v. 455 The famish'd babe Clings closely to his dying mother's breast.
1879 ‘E. Garrett’ House by Wks. II. 68 Young men are often kept very closely by their fathers.
1885 J. Payn Talk of Town I. 14 He wore..his own hair, but closely cut.
b. With the components near together, densely, compactly, with compression.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [adverb] > densely
sarralyc1330
throng?a1425
sarray1487
closely1569
throngly1653
densely1832
the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > close texture > [adverb]
closely1860
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 426 The Englishe men shot so closely..together.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 36 Dooues in tempest clinging fast closlye to geather.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 191 A treaty..by which the Princes of the Empire bound themselves closely together.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. 244 In both liquids and solids we have the molecules closely packed.
5.
a. figurative. Of association, resemblance, etc.: Nearly, intimately.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [adverb] > intimately or closely
home1532
close1576
intimately1665
straitly1690
congenially1752
kindredly1765
closely1841
1841 G. Borrow Zincali II. iii. 108 Closely connected with the Sanscrit.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 112 The episcopal polity was also closely associated in the public mind with all the evils.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Merlin & Vivien 444 in Idylls of King My name, once mine, now thine, is closelier mine.
b. Of nearness to a pattern, model, standard, ideal course.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > closely (of resemblance)
nigha1382
neara1398
nearly1594
expressly1642
closely1682
close1833
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > closeness to accuracy > [adverb]
much1560
nearly1594
muchwhat1619
nigh about1632
closely1682
roughly1768
close1833
approximatively1835
proximately1839
in the rough1841
approximately1845
along1852
nearbouta1857
in a sort of (sorta) way1868
in the (right) ballpark1945
grosso modo1952
1682 J. Norris tr. Hierocles Golden Verses 70 When it does not closely adhere to its common Notices.
1700 J. Dryden Fables Pref. I hope I have translated closely enough.
1839 H. Hallam Introd. Lit. Europe III. ii. 127 Hall keeps more closely to his subject.
1885 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 29 327 The analogy of common law is to be followed as closely as may be.
6. By bringing the eyes or mind into close proximity with an object or matter; with close attention or investigation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adverb] > with scrupulous care or attention to detail
narrowlyeOE
narrowOE
wellOE
busilyc1225
inwardly?c1225
closely1509
nearly1540
near1560
searchingly1574
nicely1597
exactly1612
strictly1632
close1642
pressly1642
scrutinously1650
minutely1690
scrupulously1712
tightly1758
keenly1824
slippery1828
meticulously1961
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > [adverb]
narrowlyeOE
closely1509
searchingly1574
close1642
pressly1642
scrutinously1650
minutely1690
scrutinizingly1828
probingly1876
scanningly1876
vivisectionally1899
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xi. xxxi. 45 The poetes conclude full closely Their fruitfull problemes for reformacion.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxiii. 506 Taurea..enquired at length closely, after silence made, where about hee was.
1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall iv. 64 Were the happinesse of the next world as closely apprehended as the felicities of this.
1701 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) II. 55 He very closely Expostulated with them.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vii. xxix. 197 With us to think closely..is the least part of a learned Man.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 162 Disputing the point of religion more closely.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 17 To investigate closely the history of prices.
1885 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 30 14 The case..is not really in point when we come to look at it closely.
7. When qualifying participles it is usually hyphenated, as closely-drawn, closely-fitting, closely-packed, closely-woven.
ΚΠ
1835 N. P. Willis Pencillings II. xviii. 42 The closely-latticed window.
1836 H. Rogers Life J. Howe (1863) ii. 35 Closely-cropped hair.
1864 E. B. Pusey Daniel viii-ix. 556 Belief in the ever closely-present omnipresence of God.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1509