Clo"sure (?, 135), n. [Of. closure, L. clausura, fr. clauedere to shut. See Close, v. t.]

1.

The act of shutting; a closing; as, the closure of a chink.

2.

That which closes or shuts; that by which separate parts are fastened or closed.

Without a seal, wafer, or any closure whatever. Pope.

3.

That which incloses or confines; an inclosure.

O thou bloody prison . . . Within the guilty closure of thy walls Richard the Second here was hacked to death. Shak.

4.

A conclusion; an end.

[Obs.]

Shak.

5. Parliamentary Practice

A method of putting an end to debate and securing an immediate vote upon a measure before a legislative body. It is similar in effect to the previous question. It was first introduced into the British House of Commons in 1882. The French word cloture was originally applied to this proceeding.

 

© Webster 1913.