Synonyms for close ranks

Grammar : Verb

Spell : verb klohz; adjective, adverb klohs or for 51, klohz; noun klohz for 59, 60, 63–65, 67, 68, klohs for 61, 62, 66

Phonetic Transcription : verb kloʊz; adjective, adverb kloʊs or for 51, kloʊz; noun kloʊz for 59, 60, 63–65, 67, 68, kloʊs for 61, 62, 66

Définition of close ranks

Origin : c.1200, "to shut, cover in," from Old French clos- (past participle stem of clore "to shut, to cut off from"), 12c., from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere "to shut, close; to block up, make inaccessible; put an end to; shut in, enclose, confine" (always -clusus, -cludere in compounds).
The Latin word might be from the possible PIE root *klau- "hook, peg, crooked or forked branch" (used as a bar or bolt in primitive structures); cf. Latin clavis "key," clavus "nail," claustrum "bar, bolt, barrier," claustra "dam, wall, barricade, stronghold;" Greek kleidos (genitive) "bar, bolt, key," klobos "cage;" Old Irish clo "nail," Middle Irish clithar "hedge, fence;" Old Church Slavonic ključi "hook, key," ključiti "shut;" Lithuanian kliuti "to catch, be caught on," kliaudziu "check, hinder," kliuvu "clasp, hang;" Old High German sliozan "shut," German schließen "to shut," Schlüssel "key."
Also partly from Old English beclysan "close in, shut up." Intransitive sense "become shut" is from late 14c. Meaning "draw near to" is from 1520s. Intransitive meaning "draw together, come together" is from 1550s, hence the idea in military verbal phrase close ranks (mid-17c.), later with figurative extensions. Meaning "bring to an end, finish" is from c.1400; intransitive sense "come to an end" is from 1826. Of stock prices, from 1860. Meaning "bring together the parts of" (a book, etc.) is from 1560s. Related: Closed; closing.

verb join fortunes with

Example sentences :

For Will was not one to step safely out of the close ranks of men, but he was always a mighty faithful worker wherever he was put.
Extract from : « The Memoirs of an American Citizen » by Robert Herrick

It is thought of as a sort of mighty army, marching down the road, in close ranks, with fixed bayonets.
Extract from : « Quiet Talks with World Winners » by S. D. Gordon

Their close ranks were mowed down by the Knights, as grass falls before the scythe of the husbandman.
Extract from : « The Story of Malta » by Maturin M. Ballou

The wolves that were advancing in close ranks recoiled, and gathered together again a hundred paces from the inclosure.
Extract from : « In Search of the Castaways » by Jules Verne

The sun was scarcely an hour high when some six hundred Sioux were espied riding in close ranks along the bank of the Platte.
Extract from : « Last of the Great Scouts » by Helen Cody Wetmore

The armed men began to gather in close ranks around the scene of death, and the crowd increased.
Extract from : « The Mosstrooper » by Robert Scott Fittis

She had seen thousands of youths march in, and there they stood in close ranks in the arena below her.
Extract from : « A Thorny Path [Per Aspera], Complete » by Georg Ebers

Close ranks, while suitable for marching, do not lend themselves to firing at the halt.
Extract from : « Battle Studies » by Charles-Jean-Jacques-Joseph Ardant du Picq

These men must be very resolute, as their close ranks do not permit them to escape by about facing.
Extract from : « Battle Studies » by Charles-Jean-Jacques-Joseph Ardant du Picq

When they rushed the British fire ceased, and in the lull the order was given to close ranks and meet them with the bayonet.
Extract from : « Soldiers Three, Part II. » by Rudyard Kipling

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019