close (adj.)

A term used in the four-level classification of vertical TONGUE movement in VOWEL sounds based on the CARDINAL VOWEL system, the others being ‘half-close’, ‘half-open’ and ‘open’. It refers to a vowel made with the tongue in the highest position possible without causing audible FRICTION, as in the ARTICULATION of [i] and [u]: the closest vowels in English are in words like seat and shoot. The area of articulation immediately below ‘close’ is known as half-close or mid-close, as in [e] and [o] (the nearest sounds in English are in words like say and so respectively). In a three-level classification of vowel sounds, the highest group are known as ‘high’ vowels (as opposed to ‘low’ and ‘mid’).

A term used in the classification of types of JUNCTURE or TRANSITION, referring to the normal transitions operating between the sounds in a word. Close juncture is opposed to ‘open’ or ‘plus’ juncture; close transition to ‘open transition’.

A term used in the classification of types of JAW SETTING, referring to a jaw position in which the teeth are brought closer together than normal; opposed to ‘open’ jaw settings.