Daily Almanac for
Jul 6, 2009
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Dictionary


clos•et



Pronunciation: (kloz'it), [key]
—n.
1. a small room, enclosed recess, or cabinet for storing clothing, food, utensils, etc.
2. a small private room, esp. one used for prayer, meditation, etc.
3. a state or condition of secrecy or carefully guarded privacy: Some conservatives remain in the closet except on election day. Gay liberation has encouraged many gay people to come out of the closet.
4. See water closet.

—adj.
1. private; secluded.
2. suited for use or enjoyment in privacy: closet reflections; closet prayer.
3. engaged in private study or speculation; speculative; unpractical: a closet thinker with no practical experience.
4. being or functioning as such in private; secret: a closet anarchist.

—v.t.
to shut up in a private room for a conference, interview, etc. (usually used in the passive voice): The Secretary of State was closeted with the senator for three hours in a tense session.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

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