closely, adv.
(ˈkləʊslɪ)
[f. close a. + -ly2.]
In a close manner; usually opposed to openly.
1. So as to leave no passage out or in; ‘without inlet or outlet’ (J.). Hence, in a place strictly shut up, in close confinement.
| 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. i. 38 This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up. a 1691 Boyle (J.), Putting the mixture into a crucible closely luted. Mod. Henry was closely confined in the Tower. This room has been closely shut up. |
2. spec. With closed lips, inarticulately.
| 1565 Jewel Repl. Harding (1611) 127 Bishops and Priests should celebrate..the Masse, not closely, but with vtterance, and sound of voice, that they might be heard of the people. 1579 Fulke Ref. Rastel 771 The wordes of consecration by no authoritie..ought to be pronounced closelye. |
† 3. Secretly, covertly, privately, privily. Obs.
| 1552 Huloet, Beare closely, priuely, or secretly. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. 81 It shall be done so cloosely, as no dogges shall barke at it. 1602 Shakes. Ham. iii. i. 29 We haue closely sent for Hamlet hither. 1643 Prynne Sov. Power Parl. i. (ed. 2) 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.
| 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 189 This famous Isle..by which we closely travelled. 1656 Cowley Pindar. Odes, Resurrection iv. 22 Hold thy Pindarique Pegasus closely in. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc v. 455 The famish'd babe Clings closely to his dying mother's breast. 1879 E. Garrett House by Works II. 68 Young men are often kept very closely by their fathers. 1885 Payn Talk of Town I. 14 He wore..his own hair, but closely cut. |
b. With the components near together, densely, compactly, with compression.
| 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 426 The Englishe men shot so closely..together. 1583 Stanyhurst æneis ii. (Arb.) 60 Dooues in tempest clinging fast closlye to geather. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 191 A treaty..by which the Princes of the Empire bound themselves closely together. 1860 Tyndall Glac. ii. 244 In both liquids and solids we have the molecules closely packed. |
5. fig. Of association, resemblance, etc.: Nearly, intimately.
| 1841 Borrow Zincali II. 108 Closely connected with the Sanscrit. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 112 The episcopal polity was also closely associated in the public mind with all the evils. 1859 Tennyson Merlin & V. 444 My name, once mine, now thine, is closelier mine. |
b. Of nearness to a pattern, model, standard, ideal course.
| 1682 Norris Hierocles 70 When it does not closely adhere to its common Notices. a 1700 Dryden (J.), I hope I have translated closely enough. 1837–9 Hallam Hist. Lit. iii. ii. §72 Hall keeps more closely to his subject. 1885 Law Rep. 29 Chanc. Div. 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.
| 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. xi. xxxi. (1845) 45 The poetes conclude full closely Their fruitfull problemes for reformacion. 1600 Holland Livy 506 (R.) Taurea..enquired at length closely, after silence made, where about he was. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. §3 (1736) 36 Were the Happiness of the next World as closely apprehended as the Felicities of this. 1701 Col. Rec. Penn. II. 55 He very closely Expostulated with them. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. vii. §29 With us to think closely is the least part of a learned man. 1768 Sterne Sent. Journ. (1775) II. 133 Disputing the point of religion more closely. 1875 Jevons Money (1878) 17 To investigate closely the history of prices. 1885 Sir N. Lindley in Law Rep. 30 Chanc. Div. 14 The case..is not really in point when we come to look at it closely. |
7. When qualifying participles it is usually hyphened, as closely-drawn, closely-fitting, closely-packed, closely-woven.
| 1835 Willis Pencillings II. xviii. 42 The closely-latticed window. 1836 H. Rogers J. Howe ii. (1863) 35 Closely-cropped hair. 1864 Pusey Lect. Daniel viii. 556 Belief in the ever closely-present omnipresence of God. |