GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

  1.       
    Open v. t. [imp. & p. p. Opened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Opening.] [AS. openian. See Open,a.]
    1. To make or set open; to render free of access; to unclose; to unbar; to unlock; to remove any fastening or covering from; as, “to open a door; to open a box; to open a room; to open a letter.”

    [1913 Webster]

    And all the windows of my heart

    I open to the day. Whittier.

    [1913 Webster]


    2. To spread; to expand; as, “to open the hand”.

    [1913 Webster]


    3. To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to explain.

    [1913 Webster]

    The king opened himself to some of his council, that he was sorry for the earl's death. Bacon.

    [1913 Webster]

    Unto thee have I opened my cause. Jer. xx. 12.

    [1913 Webster]

    While he opened to us the Scriptures. Luke xxiv. 32.

    [1913 Webster]


    4. To make known; to discover; also, to render available or accessible for settlements, trade, etc.

    [1913 Webster]

    The English did adventure far for to open the North parts of America. Abp. Abbot.

    [1913 Webster]


    5. To enter upon; to begin; as, “to open a discussion; to open fire upon an enemy; to open trade, or correspondence; to open an investigation; to open a case in court, or a meeting.”

    [1913 Webster]


    6. To loosen or make less compact; as, “to open matted cotton by separating the fibers”.

    [1913 Webster]

    To open one's mouth, to speak. -- To open up, to lay open; to discover; to disclose.

    [1913 Webster]

    Poetry that had opened up so many delightful views into the character and condition of our “bold peasantry, their country's pride.” Prof. Wilson.

    [1913 Webster]

  2.       
    opened adj.
    1. having the covering skin pulled back; -- used of mouth or eyes; as, “his mouth slightly opened”. Opposite of closed. [Narrower terms: agape(predicate), gaping, yawning ; agaze, staring ; round-eyed, wide ]

    Syn. -- open.

    [WordNet 1.5]


    2. having the seal broken so as to reveal the contents; as, “the letter was already opened”.

    Syn. -- open.

    [WordNet 1.5]

Last match results