- to speak
- 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
