Language desk
< May 14	<< Apr \| May \| Jun >>	May 16 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Language Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is a transcluded archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

May 15[edit]

Closen[edit]

Wiktionary gives a definition for closen. But when would this word be used? I have never heard it. Martinevans123 (talk) 11:45, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

The Wiktionary entry has quotations. We even use it in some articles here. Apparently the word is pretty uncommon in an absolute sense, if Google Ngrams is to be believed. But to me, "closening" sounds pretty natural. It seems to frequently collocate with the word "ties" (in the sense of a relationship becoming closer). 98.170.164.88 (talk) 12:36, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, but all the examples used at Wikipedia seem to be closening. Thinking again, I think I have heard such phrases as "they said they would closen their ties". But the (possible) meaning I am asking about is associated with the verb "to close" meaning to shut, not the adjective meaning proximate (although these are obviously related). Perhaps I have just imagined it. Martinevans123 (talk) 12:41, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Well, the search I linked before is for "closening", but if you search e.g. "closened" on Wikipedia you'll find a few hits.

Anyway, it's interesting that you associated the word with the "shutting" sense of "close" because "closing ties" (cutting off contact, etc.) would mean the opposite of what "closening ties" (strengthening a partnership, etc.) is supposed to mean, even though these senses are etymologically related. 98.170.164.88 (talk) 13:37, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

That's true. Happy to stick with "closen" in the first instance. But that's /ˈkloʊzɚn/ not /ˈkloʊsɚn/. Martinevans123 (talk) 13:43, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Oxford English Dictionary says "closen" is a rarely-used transitive verb formed on the analogy of "loosen" meaning "to make close." There is one quotation:

1860 A. WINDSOR Ethica v. 233 There was sufficient affinity to closen the tie of brotherhood. Ibid. vii. 334. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A02:C7C:365E:E700:A1DE:FFF:4C13:73EF (talk) 14:02, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Yep, that's /ˈkloʊsɚn/ as in /ˈkloʊs/. I was thinking of something else. Martinevans123 (talk) 14:31, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I think you mean [ə], not [ɚ]... AnonMoos (talk) 21:22, 16 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Why would the OED specifically single out loosen as a model, when there are also verbs like tighten and densen? --Lambiam 19:12, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Have never heard of densen. Martinevans123 (talk) 21:42, 15 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know how Wiktionary is sourced, but the Oxford English Dictionary has:

Densen, v. rare [f. DENSE a. + -EN ^1.] trans. To make dense, or intr. to become dense. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A00:23C5:C719:7201:6408:AB72:3EBC:C5A9 (talk) 09:47, 17 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]