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.
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And all the windows of my heart
I open to the day. --Whittier.
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2. To spread; to expand; as, to open the hand.
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3. To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to explain.
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The king opened himself to some of his council, that
he was sorry for the earl's death. --Bacon.
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Unto thee have I opened my cause. --Jer. xx. 12.
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While he opened to us the Scriptures. --Luke xxiv.
32.
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4. To make known; to discover; also, to render available or
accessible for settlements, trade, etc.
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The English did adventure far for to open the North
parts of America. --Abp. Abbot.
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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.
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6. To loosen or make less compact; as, to open matted cotton
by separating the fibers.
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{To open one's mouth}, {to speak}.
{To open up}, to lay open; to discover; to disclose.
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Poetry that had opened up so many delightful views
into the character and condition of our "bold
peasantry, their country's pride." --Prof.
Wilson.
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