close ranks

verbjoin fortunes with

Synonyms for close ranks

verb join fortunes with

Word Origin & History

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.

Example Sentences for close ranks

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.

It is thought of as a sort of mighty army, marching down the road, in close ranks, with fixed bayonets.

Their close ranks were mowed down by the Knights, as grass falls before the scythe of the husbandman.

The wolves that were advancing in close ranks recoiled, and gathered together again a hundred paces from the inclosure.

The sun was scarcely an hour high when some six hundred Sioux were espied riding in close ranks along the bank of the Platte.

The armed men began to gather in close ranks around the scene of death, and the crowd increased.

She had seen thousands of youths march in, and there they stood in close ranks in the arena below her.

Close ranks, while suitable for marching, do not lend themselves to firing at the halt.

These men must be very resolute, as their close ranks do not permit them to escape by about facing.

When they rushed the British fire ceased, and in the lull the order was given to close ranks and meet them with the bayonet.

close ranks

Synonyms .css-1u0ksf7{color:#d9d9d9;}for close ranks

More words related to close ranks

.css-1unrqcp{color:inherit;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}unite

uniting

Synonyms for close ranks

unite