General
close
What does close mean?
The common entrance passage and stairwell of a tenement building.
"Mind and sweep the close this week, it's oor turn."
Origin
Scots, from 'close' (an enclosed space or passage), from Latin 'clausum'.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'close' mean in Scotland?
It refers to the common entrance passage and stairwell shared by residents of a tenement building.
How do you use 'close'?
Of the shared entryway, e.g. 'Mind and sweep the close this week, it's oor turn'.
Where does the Scots 'close' come from?
From 'close' meaning an enclosed space or passage, derived from the Latin 'clausum'. Note it is pronounced with a soft 's', not like the verb 'to close'.
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