Dictionary definitions
- Enter a word for the dictionary definition.
opening
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Open \O"pen\ 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] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Opening \O"pen*ing\, n.
1. The act or process of opening; a beginning; commencement;
first appearance; as, the opening of a speech.
[1913 Webster]
The opening of your glory was like that of light.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
2. A place which is open; a breach; an aperture; a gap;
cleft, or hole.
[1913 Webster]
We saw him at the opening of his tent. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. Hence: An opportunity; as, an opening for business.
[Colloq.] --Dickens.
[1913 Webster]
4. Hence: A vacant place; a job which does not have a current
occupant; as, they are now interviewing candidates for the
two openings in the department.
[PJC]
5. A thinly wooded space, without undergrowth, in the midst
of a forest; a clearing; as, oak openings. [U.S.]
--Cooper.
[1913 Webster]

