Word: open Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Adjective from Middle English open, from Old English open (“open”), from Proto-West Germanic *opan, from Proto-Germanic *upanaz (“open”), from Proto-Indo-European *upo (“up from under, over”). Cognates * Scots apen (“open”) * Saterland Frisian eepen (“open”) * West Frisian iepen (“open”) * Cimbrian offe (“open”) * Dutch open (“open”) * German offen (“open”) * Vilamovian ufa, uffa (“open”) * Yiddish אָפֿן (ofn, “open”) * Danish åben (“open”) * Icelandic opinn (“open”) * Norwegian Bokmål åpen (“open”) * Norwegian Nynorsk open (“open”) * Swedish öppen (“open”) Compare also Latin supinus (“on one's back, supine”), Albanian hap (“to open”). Related to up. Verb from Middle English openen, from Old English openian (“to open”), from Proto-West Germanic *opanōn, from Proto-Germanic *upanōną (“to raise; lift; open”), from Proto-Germanic *upanaz (“open”, adjective). Cognate with Saterland Frisian eepenje (“to open”), West Frisian iepenje (“to open”), Dutch openen (“to open”), German öffnen (“to open”), Danish åbne (“to open”), Swedish öppna (“to open”), Norwegian Bokmål åpne (“to open”), Norwegian Nynorsk and Icelandic opna (“to open”). Related to English up. Noun from Middle English open (“an aperture or opening”), from the verb. In the sports sense, however, a shortening of “open competition”. Pronunciation: /ˈəʊ.pən/, /ˈɒ.pɪn/, /ˈoʊ.pən/, /ˈəʉ.pən/ 1. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: Turn the doorknob to open the door. Example: The door opened all by itself. 2. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: The icebreaker opened the channel. Example: The ice melted away and the channel opened. 3. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: You can open your eyes now! Example: Her eyes opened wide. 4. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: to open a closed fist Example: to open matted cotton by separating the fibres 5. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: transitive Example: Follow agency policy, or open the bed by folding the top linens back. 6. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: Jeff opens his hand revealing a straight flush. 7. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: intransitive, transitive 8. To make or become physically unobstructed, uncovered, etc. Labels: especially, intransitive, transitive 9. To cause or allow a gap to form or widen. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: Mudchester Rovers opened a sizeable lead on their rivals. Example: A link opened under the strain, and the chain came apart. 10. To cause or allow a gap to form or widen. Labels: intransitive, transitive 11. To make or become available for use or interaction. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: He opened a secret bank account in Switzerland. Example: We're opening the phone lines in ten minutes. 12. To make or become available for use or interaction. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: I will open the shop an hour early tomorrow. Example: The summer fete was opened by the mayor. 13. To make or become available for use or interaction. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: Reading this book will open you to new ideas. Example: This policy will open the government to criticism. 14. To make or become available for use or interaction. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: I can't open the file because someone else is editing it. 15. To make or become available for use or interaction. Labels: Manglish, Quebec Example: Please open the lights, the (electric) fan, the TV. 16. To start or begin. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: The show was opened by a terrible Elvis impersonator. Example: Our band opened, and they came on second. 17. To start or begin. Labels: intransitive Example: Our band opened for Nirvana. 18. To start or begin. Labels: intransitive Example: The meeting opened with a statement from the chairman. 19. To start or begin. Labels: transitive Example: I don't want to open that subject. 20. To start or begin. Labels: transitive Example: to open a discussion Example: to open fire upon an enemy 21. To start or begin. Labels: intransitive, transitive Example: Click this icon to open Microsoft Word. 22. To start or begin. Labels: intransitive 23. To start or begin. Labels: intransitive Example: After the first two players fold, Julie opens for $5. 24. To make an open relationship or marriage, i.e., with possible additional relationships. Labels: transitive Example: He assured me, unequivocally, that he was, and that he rather enjoyed the side benefits of my trysts: I was happier and living more honestly, as well as off his back about many of the issues that had been troublesome for me before we opened our relationship. Example: I wouldn’t do it unless there is a reason for it, I wouldn’t open a marriage just for fun. I think it’s too dangerous. I know I’m a monogamous type of person—I like just one person at a time; actually sleeping with more than one person in separate relationships is too confusing. 25. To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to explain. Labels: obsolete Example: The king opened himself to some of his council, that he was sorry for the earl's death. Example: Unto thee have I opened my cause.