Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Browse Nearby Entries
open
Sponsored Links OPEN by American Express
Choose the Right American Express Card for Your Business. Apply Now.
www.americanexpress.com/open
Northern Trust Open - LA
Get Info & Photos About the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles!
www.northerntrustopen.com
Apply for Credit Cards
Compare Amer Express Offers and Apply Online!
www.ZeroRate.net/Amex
15 dictionary results for: Open
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
o·pen       [oh-puhn] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.not closed or barred at the time, as a doorway by a door, a window by a sash, or a gateway by a gate: to leave the windows open at night.
2.(of a door, gate, window sash, or the like) set so as to permit passage through the opening it can be used to close.
3.having no means of closing or barring: an open portico.
4.having the interior immediately accessible, as a box with the lid raised or a drawer that is pulled out.
5.relatively free of obstructions to sight, movement, or internal arrangement: an open floor plan.
6.constructed so as to be without cover or enclosure on the top or on some or all sides: an open boat.
7.having relatively large or numerous spaces, voids, or intervals: an open architectural screen; open ranks of soldiers.
8.perforated or porous: an open texture.
9.relatively unoccupied by buildings, fences, trees, etc.: open country.
10.not covered or closed; with certain parts apart: open eyes; open mouth.
11.without a covering, esp. a protective covering; unprotected; unenclosed; exposed: an open wound; open electrical wires.
12.extended or unfolded: an open newspaper.
13.without restrictions as to who may participate: an open competition; an open session.
14.accessible or available to follow: the only course still open to us.
15.not taken or filled; not preempted; available; vacant: Which job is open?
16.ready for or carrying on normal trade or business: The new store is now open. The office is open on Saturdays.
17.not engaged or committed: Have you any open time on Monday?
18.accessible, as to appeals, ideas, or offers: to be open to suggestion.
19.exposed to general view or knowledge; existing, carried on, etc., without concealment: open disregard of the rules.
20.acting publicly or without concealment, as a person.
21.unreserved, candid, or frank, as persons or their speech, aspect, etc.: an open manner.
22.generous, liberal, or bounteous: to give with an open hand.
23.liable or subject: open to question; open to retaliation.
24.undecided; unsettled: several open questions.
25.without effective or enforced legal, commercial, or moral regulations: an open town.
26.unguarded by an opponent: an open wide receiver.
27.noting the part of the sea beyond headlands or enclosing areas of land: to sail on the open seas.
28.free of ice, as a body of water or a seaport.
29.free of navigational hazards: an open coast.
30.(of a seaport) available for foreign trade; not closed by government regulations or by considerations of health.
31.(of a microphone) in operation; live.
32.(of a delimiting punctuation mark) occurring at the beginning of a group of words or characters that is set off, as from surrounding text: open parenthesis; open quotes. Compare close (def. 51).
33.not yet balanced or adjusted, as an account.
34.not constipated, as the bowels.
35.Phonetics.
a.(of a vowel) articulated with a relatively large opening above the tongue or with a relatively large oral aperture, as the vowel sound of cot compared with that in caught.
b.(of a syllable) ending with a vowel.
c.(of a consonant) continuant (opposed to stopped).
36.Linguistics. (of a class of items) readily admitting new members, as the class of nouns, verbs, or adjectives (opposed to closed).
37.Printing.
a.(of type) in outline form.
b.widely spaced or leaded, as printed matter.
38.Music.
a.(of an organ pipe) not closed at the far end.
b.(of a string) not stopped by a finger.
c.(of a note) produced by such a pipe or string or, on a wind instrument, without the aid of a slide, key, etc.
39.Mathematics.
a.(of an interval) containing neither endpoint.
b.(of a set) consisting of points having neighborhoods wholly contained in the set, as the set of points within a circle.
c.(of a map from one topological space to another) having the property that the image of an open set is an open set.
40.free from frost; mild or moderate: an open winter.
41.Animal Husbandry. (of a female animal) not pregnant.
42.Textiles. (of a fabric or weave) so loosely woven that spaces are visible between warp and filling yarns.
–verb (used with object)
43.to move (a door, window sash, etc.) from a shut or closed position so as to admit of passage.
44.to render (a doorway, gateway, window, etc.) unobstructed by moving a door, window sash, etc., away from it.
45.to render the interior of (a box, drawer, etc.) readily accessible.
46.to clear (a passage, channel, etc.) of obstructions.
47.to clear (areas or passages in the body).
48.to give access to; make accessible or available, as for use: to open a port for trade.
49.to establish for business purposes or for public use: to open an office.
50.to set in action, begin, start, or commence (sometimes fol. by up): to open a campaign.
51.to uncover, lay bare, or expose to view.
52.to expand, unfold, or spread out: to open a map.
53.to make less compact, less closely spaced, or the like: to open ranks.
54.to disclose, reveal, or divulge.
55.to render accessible to knowledge, enlightenment, sympathy, etc.: to open one's mind.
56.to cut, blast, or break into: to open a safe with nitro.
57.to make or produce (an opening) by cutting or breaking, or by pushing aside or removing obstructions: to open a way through a crowd.
58.to make an incision or opening in: to open a boil.
59.Law.
a.to recall or revoke (a judgment, decree, etc.) for the purpose of allowing further contest or delay.
b.to make the first statement of (a case) to the court or jury.
60.Cards. to begin a hand by making (the first bid), placing (the first bet), or playing (a given card or suit) as the lead.
61.Nautical. to sail (a course) so that the apparent location of a distant fixed object changes with relation to a nearer fixed object (sometimes fol. by out).
–verb (used without object)
62.to become open, as a door, building, box, or enclosure.
63.to afford access: a door that opens into a garden.
64.to have an opening, passage, or outlet: The room opens into a corridor.
65.(of a building, theater, etc.) to open its doors to the public: The museum opens at one o'clock.
66.to begin a session or term, as a school.
67.to begin a season, series of performances, or tour, as a theatrical company: The play will open in Boston.
68.to begin, start, or commence an activity: The game opened with the national anthem.
69.to part, or seem to part, so as to allow or reveal a passage: At last the cliffs opened to show us that we were heading for the sea.
70.to become disclosed or revealed.
71.to come into view; become more visible or plain.
72.to become receptive to knowledge, sympathy, etc., as the mind.
73.to disclose or reveal one's knowledge, thoughts, feelings, etc.
74.to unfold or expand, as a blossom, so as to reveal the interior.
75.to spread out or expand, as the hand or a fan.
76.to spread apart or separate, as pages of a book, newspaper, etc.: Open to page 32.
77.to spread or come apart; burst: The wound opened.
78.to become less compact, less closely spaced, or the like: The ranks began to open.
79.Cards. to make the first bet, bid, or lead in beginning a hand.
80.Hunting. (of hounds) to begin to bark, as on the scent of game.
–noun
81.an open or clear space.
82.the open air.
83.the open water, as of the sea.
84.an opening or aperture.
85.an opening or opportunity.
86.a contest or tournament in which both amateurs and professionals may compete, esp. in golf and tennis.
87.the open,
a.the unenclosed or unobstructed country.
b.the outdoors: Vacations in the open are fine for the entire family.
c.the condition of being unconcealed, recognized, or publicly known: The scandal is now out in the open.
—Verb phrase
88.open up,
a.to become or make open.
b.to expand, esp. before the eye: A breathtaking panorama opened up as we reached the top of the hill.
c.to achieve the initial development of: to open up a business office; to open up trade with China.
d.Slang. to increase speed or the speed of (a vehicle).
[Origin: bef. 900; (adj.) ME, OE; c. OS opan (D open), OHG offan (G offen), ON opinn, akin to up; (v.) ME openen, OE openian; c. OS opanon (D openen), OHG offanōn (G öffnen)]

—Related forms
o·pen·ly, adverb
o·pen·ness, noun

—Synonyms 21. See frank1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Sponsored Links OPEN by American Express
Choose the Right American Express Card for Your Business. Apply Now.
www.americanexpress.com/open
Northern Trust Open - LA
Get Info & Photos About the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles!
www.northerntrustopen.com
Apply for Credit Cards
Compare Amer Express Offers and Apply Online!
www.ZeroRate.net/Amex
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
o·pen       (ō'pən)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
    1. Affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed.
    2. Affording unobstructed passage or view: open waters; the open countryside.
    3. Having no protecting or concealing cover: an open wound; an open sports car.
    4. Completely obvious; blatant: open disregard of the law.
    5. Carried on in full view: open warfare; open family strife.
    6. Sports Not closely defended by an opponent: an open receiver.
    7. Not sealed or tied: an open package.
    8. Spread out; unfolded: an open book.
    9. Accessible to all; unrestricted as to participants: an open competition.
    10. Free from limitations, boundaries, or restrictions: open registration.
    11. Enterable by registered voters regardless of political affiliation: an open primary.
    12. Computer Science Of or relating to a file that can be accessed.
    13. Lacking effective regulation: an open town in which gambling predominated.
    14. Not legally repressed: open drug trafficking.
    15. Susceptible; vulnerable: open to interpretation; an issue that is open to question.
    16. Willing to consider or deal with something: open to suggestions.
    17. Available; obtainable: The job is still open.
    18. Available for use: an open account; the only course open to us.
    19. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    20. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    21. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    22. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    23. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    24. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    25. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    26. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    27. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    28. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    29. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    30. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    31. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    32. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    33. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
    1. Having no protecting or concealing cover: an open wound; an open sports car.
    2. Completely obvious; blatant: open disregard of the law.
    3. Carried on in full view: open warfare; open family strife.
    4. Sports Not closely defended by an opponent: an open receiver.
    5. Not sealed or tied: an open package.
    6. Spread out; unfolded: an open book.
    7. Accessible to all; unrestricted as to participants: an open competition.
    8. Free from limitations, boundaries, or restrictions: open registration.
    9. Enterable by registered voters regardless of political affiliation: an open primary.
    10. Computer Science Of or relating to a file that can be accessed.
    11. Lacking effective regulation: an open town in which gambling predominated.
    12. Not legally repressed: open drug trafficking.
    13. Susceptible; vulnerable: open to interpretation; an issue that is open to question.
    14. Willing to consider or deal with something: open to suggestions.
    15. Available; obtainable: The job is still open.
    16. Available for use: an open account; the only course open to us.
    17. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    18. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    19. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    20. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    21. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    22. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    23. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    24. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    25. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    26. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    27. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    28. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    29. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    30. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    31. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
    1. Not sealed or tied: an open package.
    2. Spread out; unfolded: an open book.
    3. Accessible to all; unrestricted as to participants: an open competition.
    4. Free from limitations, boundaries, or restrictions: open registration.
    5. Enterable by registered voters regardless of political affiliation: an open primary.
    6. Computer Science Of or relating to a file that can be accessed.
    7. Lacking effective regulation: an open town in which gambling predominated.
    8. Not legally repressed: open drug trafficking.
    9. Susceptible; vulnerable: open to interpretation; an issue that is open to question.
    10. Willing to consider or deal with something: open to suggestions.
    11. Available; obtainable: The job is still open.
    12. Available for use: an open account; the only course open to us.
    13. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    14. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    15. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    16. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    17. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    18. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    19. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    20. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    21. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    22. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    23. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    24. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    25. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    26. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    27. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  4. Having interspersed gaps, spaces, or intervals: open ranks; an open weave.
    1. Accessible to all; unrestricted as to participants: an open competition.
    2. Free from limitations, boundaries, or restrictions: open registration.
    3. Enterable by registered voters regardless of political affiliation: an open primary.
    4. Computer Science Of or relating to a file that can be accessed.
    5. Lacking effective regulation: an open town in which gambling predominated.
    6. Not legally repressed: open drug trafficking.
    7. Susceptible; vulnerable: open to interpretation; an issue that is open to question.
    8. Willing to consider or deal with something: open to suggestions.
    9. Available; obtainable: The job is still open.
    10. Available for use: an open account; the only course open to us.
    11. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    12. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    13. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    14. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    15. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    16. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    17. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    18. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    19. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    20. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    21. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    22. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    23. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    24. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    25. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
    1. Lacking effective regulation: an open town in which gambling predominated.
    2. Not legally repressed: open drug trafficking.
    3. Susceptible; vulnerable: open to interpretation; an issue that is open to question.
    4. Willing to consider or deal with something: open to suggestions.
    5. Available; obtainable: The job is still open.
    6. Available for use: an open account; the only course open to us.
    7. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    8. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    9. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    10. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    11. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    12. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    13. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    14. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    15. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    16. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    17. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    18. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    19. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    20. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    21. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
    1. Susceptible; vulnerable: open to interpretation; an issue that is open to question.
    2. Willing to consider or deal with something: open to suggestions.
    3. Available; obtainable: The job is still open.
    4. Available for use: an open account; the only course open to us.
    5. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    6. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    7. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    8. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    9. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    10. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    11. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    12. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    13. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    14. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    15. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    16. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    17. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    18. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    19. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
    1. Available; obtainable: The job is still open.
    2. Available for use: an open account; the only course open to us.
    3. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    4. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    5. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    6. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    7. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    8. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    9. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    10. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    11. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    12. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    13. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    14. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    15. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    16. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    17. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  9. Ready to transact business: The store is open.
  10. Not engaged or filled: has an open hour for emergency cases.
  11. Not yet decided; subject to further thought: an open question.
    1. Characterized by lack of pretense or reserve; candid: Please be open with me. See Synonyms at frank1.
    2. Free of prejudice; receptive to new ideas and arguments: She listened to the proposal with an open mind.
    3. Generous: He is very open with his time.
    4. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    5. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    6. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    7. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    8. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    9. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    10. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    11. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    12. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    13. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    14. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    15. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  13. Printing
    1. Widely spaced or leaded. Used of typeset or other printed matter.
    2. Having constituent elements separated by a space in writing or printing: The word sea horse is an open compound.
    3. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    4. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    5. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    6. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    7. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    8. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    9. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    10. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    11. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    12. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  14. Music
    1. Not stopped by a finger. Used of a string or hole of an instrument.
    2. Produced by an unstopped string or hole or without the use of slides, valves, or keys: an open note on a trumpet.
    3. Played without a mute: an open wind instrument.
    4. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    5. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    6. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    7. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    8. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    9. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    10. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  15. Linguistics
    1. Articulated with the tongue in a low position, as the vowel in far.
    2. Ending in a vowel or diphthong: an open syllable.
    3. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    4. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    5. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    6. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    7. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  16. Designating a method of punctuation in which commas and other marks are used sparingly.
  17. Being in operation; live: an open microphone.
  18. New England Clear. Used of weather. See Regional Note at fair1.
  19. Electricity Containing a gap across which electricity cannot pass: an open circuit.
  20. Mathematics
    1. Of or relating to an interval containing neither of its endpoints.
    2. Of or being a set such that at least one neighborhood of every point in the set is within the set.
    3. Of or being a set that is the complement of a closed set.
    4. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    5. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  21. Sports
    1. Having the forward foot farther from the intended point of impact with the ball than the rear foot: an open batting stance.
    2. Held or swung with the top or outer edge of the striking face pointing slightly farther away from the objective than the lower or inner edge: The club struck the ball with an open face, causing a slice.
  22. Physics Of or relating to a model of the universe in which there is not sufficient matter to halt its expansion.

v.   o·pened, o·pen·ing, o·pens

v.   tr.
  1. To release from a closed or fastened position.
  2. To remove obstructions from; clear.
  3. To make or force an opening in: open an old wound.
    1. To form spaces or gaps between: soldiers opening ranks.
    2. To break the continuity of; make a gap in: open a circuit.
    3. To remove the cover, cork, or lid from.
    4. To remove the wrapping from; undo.
    5. To get (something) going; initiate: open a campaign.
    6. To commence the operation of: open a new business.
    1. To remove the cover, cork, or lid from.
    2. To remove the wrapping from; undo.
    3. To get (something) going; initiate: open a campaign.
    4. To commence the operation of: open a new business.
  6. To unfold so that the inner parts are displayed; spread out: open a newspaper.
    1. To get (something) going; initiate: open a campaign.
    2. To commence the operation of: open a new business.
  8. Games To begin (the action in a game of cards) by making the first bid, placing the first bet, or playing the first lead.
  9. To make available for use: opened the area to commercial development; opened the computer file and retrieved some data.
  10. To make more responsive or understanding.
  11. To reveal the secrets of; bare.
  12. Sports To modify (one's stance), as in baseball or golf, so that it is open.
  13. Law To recall (an order or judgment) for a reexamination of its merits.

v.   intr.
  1. To become open: The door opened slowly.
  2. To draw apart; separate: The wound opened under pressure.
  3. To spread apart; unfold.
  4. To come into view; become revealed: The plain opened before us.
  5. To become receptive or understanding.
    1. To begin; commence: The meeting opened with a call to order.
    2. To begin business or operation: The store opens early on Saturday.
  7. To be performed, shown, or made available to the public for the first time: The play opens next week.
  8. To be priced or listed at a specified amount when trading begins: Shares opened high and fell sharply.
  9. Games To make a bid, bet, or lead in starting a game of cards.
  10. To give access: The room opens onto a terrace.

n.  
  1. An unobstructed area of land or water.
  2. The outdoors: camping in the open.
  3. An undisguised or unconcealed state: brought the problem out into the open.
  4. A tournament or contest in which both professional and amateur players may participate.

Phrasal Verb(s):
open up
  1. To spread out; unfold: A green valley opened up before us.
    1. To begin operation: The new store opens up next month.
    2. To begin firing: The artillery opened up at dawn.
  3. Informal To speak freely and candidly: At last the frightened witness opened up and told the truth.
  4. To make an opening in by cutting: The surgeon opened up the patient's chest.
  5. To make available or accessible: open up new markets.
  6. Informal To accelerate. Used of a motor vehicle.

Idiom(s):
open fire
To begin firing on.

Idiom(s):
open (one's) eyes
To become aware of the truth of a situation.

[Middle English, from Old English; see upo in Indo-European roots.]

o'pen·ly adv., o'pen·ness n.
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
open  (adj.)
O.E. open "not closed down, raised up" (of doors, gates, etc.), also "uncovered, bare; plain, evident," from P.Gmc. *upana (cf. O.N. opinn, Swed. öppen, Dan. aaben, O.Fris. epen, O.H.G. offan "open"), from PIE *upo "up from under, over" (cf. L. sub, Gk. hypo). Related to up, and throughout Gmc. the word has the appearance of a pp. of *up (v.), but no such verb has been found. The source of words for "open" in many I.E. languages seems to be an opposite of the word for "closed, shut" (e.g. Goth. uslukan). Of shops, etc., "available for business," it dates from 1824. Transf. sense of "candid" is attested from 1513. The verb was O.E. openian, but etymology suggests the adj. was older. Open up "cease to be secretive" is from 1921. The noun meaning "public knowledge" (esp. in out in the open) is attested from 1942; the sense of "an open competition" is from 1926, originally in a golf context. Open-handed "liberal, generous" is from 1601. Open door in ref. to international trading policies is attested from 1856. Open season is first recorded 1896, of game; and figuratively 1914 of persons. Open book in the fig. sense of "person easy to understand" is from 1853. Open house "hospitality for all visitors" is first recorded 1824. Open-and-shut "simple, straightforward" first recorded 1841 in New Orleans. Open marriage, one in which the partners sleep with whomever they please, is from 1972. Open-minded (1828) is first recorded in Carlyle. Open road (1817, Amer.Eng.) originally meant a public one; romanticized sense of "traveling as an expression of personal freedom" first recorded 1856, in Whitman.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
open

adjective
1. affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed; "an open door"; "they left the door open" [ant: closed] 
2. affording free passage or access; "open drains"; "the road is open to traffic"; "open ranks" [ant: closed] 
3. with no protection or shield; "the exposed northeast frontier"; "open to the weather"; "an open wound" [syn: exposed] 
4. open to or in view of all; "an open protest"; "an open letter to the editor" 
5. used of mouth or eyes; "keep your eyes open"; "his mouth slightly opened" [ant: closed] 
6. not having been filled; "the job is still open" 
7. accessible to all; "open season"; "an open economy" 
8. not defended or capable of being defended; "an open city"; "open to attack" [syn: assailable] 
9. (of textures) full of small openings or gaps; "an open texture"; "a loose weave" [syn: loose] 
10. having no protecting cover or enclosure; "an open boat"; "an open fire"; "open sports cars" 
11. (set theory) of an interval that contains neither of its endpoints [ant: closed] 
12. not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought; "an open question"; "our position on this bill is still undecided"; "our lawsuit is still undetermined" 
13. not sealed or having been unsealed; "the letter was already open"; "the opened package lay on the table" 
14. without undue constriction as from e.g. tenseness or inhibition; "the clarity and resonance of an open tone"; "her natural and open response" 
15. ready or willing to receive favorably; "receptive to the proposals" [syn: receptive] [ant: unreceptive] 
16. open and observable; not secret or hidden; "an overt lie"; "overt hostility"; "overt intelligence gathering"; "open ballots" [syn: overt] [ant: covert] 
17. not requiring union membership; "an open shop employs nonunion workers" 
18. possibly accepting or permitting; "a passage capable of misinterpretation"; "open to interpretation"; "an issue open to question"; "the time is fixed by the director and players and therefore subject to much variation" [syn: capable] 
19. affording free passage or view; "a clear view"; "a clear path to victory"; "open waters"; "the open countryside" [syn: clear] 
20. openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness; "his candid eyes"; "an open and trusting nature"; "a heart-to-heart talk" [syn: candid] 
21. ready for business; "the stores are open" 

noun
1. a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water; "finally broke out of the forest into the open" 
2. where the air is unconfined; "he wanted to get outdoors a little"; "the concert was held in the open air"; "camping in the open" [syn: outdoors] 
3. a tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play 
4. information that has become public; "all the reports were out in the open"; "the facts had been brought to the surface" 

verb
1. cause to open or to become open; "Mary opened the car door" [ant: close] 
2. start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning; "open a business" [ant: close] 
3. become open; "The door opened" [ant: close] 
4. begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.; "He opened the meeting with a long speech" [ant: close] 
5. spread out or open from a closed or folded state; "open the map"; "spread your arms" [syn: unfold] [ant: fold] 
6. make available; "This opens up new possibilities" 
7. become available; "an opportunity opened up" 
8. have an opening or passage or outlet; "The bedrooms open into the hall" 
9. make the opening move; "Kasparov opened with a standard opening" 
10. afford access to; "the door opens to the patio"; "The French doors give onto a terrace" [syn: afford] 
11. display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer [ant: close] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

open

In addition to the idioms beginning with open, also see keep a weather eye (open); keep one's eyes open; lay open; leave open; leave the door open; not open one's mouth; out in the open; throw open; wide open; with one's eyes open; with open arms.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Investopedia - Cite This Source - Share This

Open

1. An unexecuted order that is still valid.

2. The start of trading on a securities exchange.

Investopedia Commentary

1. Orders that are entered by investors but not yet transacted are deemed to be open until they expire or are filled.

2. Different exchanges will have different opening times. For instance, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq open at 9.30am EST, whereas the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) opens at 9am EST for options on debt securities.

Related Links

Getting to Know Stock Exchanges
Understanding Order Execution
The Basics Of Order Entry

See also: Amex, At-the-Opening Order, Close, Nasdaq, New York Stock Exchange - NYSE, Open Order, Opening Bell, Order, Wide Open

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: open
Function: adjective
1 : exposed to general view or knowledge : free from concealment open, notorious, continuous, and adverse use of the property> open and obvious danger>
NOTE: When a defect, hazard, or condition is open such that a reasonable person under the circumstances should have recognized the danger posed by it, a defendant is usually relieved of liability for failure to warn.
2 : not restricted to a particular group or category of participants; specifically : enterable by a registered voter regardless of political affiliation open primary>
3 a : being in effect or operation open mine> open> b : available for use open toll road> c : not finally determined, decided, or settled : subject to further consideration open question> d : remaining effective or available for use until canceled open insurance contract>
4 : not repressed or regulated by legal controls open gambling>

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: open
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: opened; open·ing
transitive verb 1 : to begin the process of <open the succession>
2 a : to make the statement by which the trial of (a case) is begun and put before the court b : to be the first to speak in summing up or arguing (a case)
3 : to restore or recall (as an order, rule, or judgment) from a finally determined state to a state in which the parties are free to prosecute or oppose by further proceedings intransitive verb 1 : to begin action : commence on some course or activity opened at par>
2 : to begin the trial of a case opens —J. H. Friedenthal et al.>

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

open
1. To prepare to read or write a file. This usually involves checking whether the file already exists and that the user has the necessary authorisation to read or write it. The result of a successful open is usually some kind of capability (e.g. a Unix file descriptor) - a token that the user passes back to the system in order to access the file without further checks and finally to close the file.
2. Abbreviation for "open (or left) parenthesis" - used when necessary to eliminate oral ambiguity. To read aloud the LISP form (DEFUN FOO (X) (PLUS X 1)) one might say: "Open defun foo, open eks close, open, plus eks one, close close."
3. Non-proprietary. An open standard is one which can be used without payment.
[The Jargon File]
(1995-01-31)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Jargon File - Cite This Source - Share This

open

n. Abbreviation for `open (or left) parenthesis' -- used when necessary to eliminate oral ambiguity. To read aloud the LISP form (DEFUN FOO (X) (PLUS X 1)) one might say: "Open defun foo, open eks close, open, plus eks one, close close."

Jargon File 4.2.0
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Open

O"pen\, a. [AS. open; akin to D. open, OS. opan, G. offan, Icel. opinn, Sw. ["o]ppen, Dan. aaben, and perh. to E. up. Cf. Up, and Ope.]

1. Free of access; not shut up; not closed; affording unobstructed ingress or egress; not impeding or preventing passage; not locked up or covered over; -- applied to passageways; as, an open door, window, road, etc.; also, to inclosed structures or objects; as, open houses, boxes, baskets, bottles, etc.; also, to means of communication or approach by water or land; as, an open harbor or roadstead.

Through the gate, Wide open and unquarded, Satan passed. --Milton

Note: Also, figuratively, used of the ways of communication of the mind, as by the senses; ready to hear, see, etc.; as, to keep one's eyes and ears open.

His ears are open unto their cry. --Ps. xxxiv. 15.

2. Free to be used, enjoyed, visited, or the like; not private; public; unrestricted in use; as, an open library, museum, court, or other assembly; liable to the approach, trespass, or attack of any one; unprotected; exposed.

If Demetrius . . . have a matter against any man, the law is open and there are deputies. --Acts xix. 33.

The service that I truly did his life, Hath left me open to all injuries. --Shak.

3. Free or cleared of obstruction to progress or to view; accessible; as, an open tract; the open sea.

4. Not drawn together, closed, or contracted; extended; expanded; as, an open hand; open arms; an open flower; an open prospect.

Each, with open arms, embraced her chosen knight. --Dryden.

5. Hence: (a) Without reserve or false pretense; sincere; characterized by sincerity; unfeigned; frank; also, generous; liberal; bounteous; -- applied to personal appearance, or character, and to the expression of thought and feeling, etc.

With aspect open, shall erect his head. --Pope.

The Moor is of a free and open nature. --Shak.

The French are always open, familiar, and talkative. --Addison. (b) Not concealed or secret; not hidden or disguised; exposed to view or to knowledge; revealed; apparent; as, open schemes or plans; open shame or guilt.

His thefts are too open. --Shak.

That I may find him, and with secret gaze Or open admiration him behold. --Milton.

6. Not of a quality to prevent communication, as by closing water ways, blocking roads, etc.; hence, not frosty or inclement; mild; -- used of the weather or the climate; as, an open season; an open winter. --Bacon.

7. Not settled or adjusted; not decided or determined; not closed or withdrawn from consideration; as, an open account; an open question; to keep an offer or opportunity open.

8. Free; disengaged; unappropriated; as, to keep a day open for any purpose; to be open for an engagement.

9. (Phon.) (a) Uttered with a relatively wide opening of the articulating organs; -- said of vowels; as, the ["a]n f["a]r is open as compared with the [=a] in s[=a]y. (b) Uttered, as a consonant, with the oral passage simply narrowed without closure, as in uttering s.

10. (Mus.) (a) Not closed or stopped with the finger; -- said of the string of an instrument, as of a violin, when it is allowed to vibrate throughout its whole length. (b) Produced by an open string; as, an open tone.

The open air, the air out of doors.

Open chain. (Chem.) See Closed chain, under Chain.

Open circuit (Elec.), a conducting circuit which is incomplete, or interrupted at some point; -- opposed to an uninterrupted, or closed circuit.

Open communion, communion in the Lord's supper not restricted to persons who have been baptized by immersion. Cf. Close communion, under Close, a.

Open diapason (Mus.), a certain stop in an organ, in which the pipes or tubes are formed like the mouthpiece of a flageolet at the end where the wind enters, and are open at the other end.

Open flank (Fort.), the part of the flank covered by the orillon.

Open-front furnace (Metal.), a blast furnace having a forehearth.

Open harmony (Mus.), harmony the tones of which are widely dispersed