Close, adj., 1) shut fast, so as to have no opening, tight: “the curtains being c.” Lucr. 367. “c. prison,” Gentl. III, 1, 235. “near to her c. and consecrated bower,” Mids. III, 2, 7. “for all the sun sees or the c. earth wombs,” Wint. IV, 4, 501. “in this c. walk,” H6B II, 2, 3. “spread thy c. curtain, love-performing night,” Rom. III, 2, 5. cf. “the c. night doth play the runaway,” Merch. II, 6, 47. “c. prisoner,” Oth. V, 2, 335 (kept in c. prison). “keep the door c.” H8 V, 4, 30. “hold c. thy lips,” H6C II, 2, 118. “hold your hand more c.” Tim. II, 2, 148 (cf. Close adv.).
2) secret: “this is c. dealing,” H6B II, 4, 73. “another secret c. intent,” R3 I, 1, 158. “a c. exploit of death,” IV, 2, 35. “your c. fire,” Tim. IV, 3, 142. “this must be known; which being kept c. . . .” Hml. II, 1, 118. Subjectively: “show your wisdom in your c. patience,” Meas. IV, 3, 123. “that c. aspect of his,” John IV, 2, 72. “no lady --r,” H4A II, 3, 113. “the c. enacts and counsels of the heart,” Tit. IV, 2, 118. “to himself so secret and so c.” Rom. I, 1, 155. “the c. contriver of all harms,” Mcb. III, 5, 7. “c. delations,” Oth. III, 3, 123. “still c. as sure,” Cymb. I, 6, 139. “c. villain,” III, 5, 86.
Shakespeare Lexicon. Alexander Schmidt. Berlin. Georg Reimer. 1902.
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