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Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; as, a close vote. "A close contest." Prescott.

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 clôture was originally applied to this proceeding.

To compel or constrain to any action; as, to coerce a man to vote for a certain candidate.

r house of the British Parliament, consisting of representatives elected by the qualified voters of counties, boroughs, and universities. It is agreed that the Commons were no part of the great council till some ages after the Conquest. Hume.

Consecrated; devoted; dedicated; sacred. They were assembled in that consecrate place. Bacon.

One who consecrates; one who performs the rites by which a person or thing is devoted or dedicated to sacred purposes. [Written also consecrater.]

To assign; to devote; to set apart. The French commander consigned it to the use for which it was intended by the donor. Dryden.

A body of constituents, as the body of citizens or voters in a representative district.

een two adjacent bodies of dissimilar rock. Raymond. Contact level, a delicate level so pivoted as to tilt when two parts of a measuring apparatus come into contact with each other; -- used in precise determinations of lengths and in the accurate graduation of instruments.

A religious or either sex devoted to prayer and meditation, rather than to active works of charity.

An expression of assent to a bill or motion; an affirmate vote; also, a member who votes "Content.". Supposing the number of "Contents" and "Not contents" strictly equal in number and consequence.Burke.

An association or community of recluses devoted to a religious life; a body of monks or nuns. One of our convent, and his [the duke's] confessor. Shak.

To prevent the accession of (a person) to office, by a fraudulent return or count of the votes cast; -- said of a candidate really elected. [Colloq.]

A club usually located in the suburbs or vicinity of a city or town and devoted mainly to outdoor sports.

To direct special attention to; to devote time and thought to; to foster; to cherish. Leisure . . . to cultivate general literature. Wordsworth.

king purchases or giving orders; business support. Let him have your custom, but not your votes. Addison.

esides over all the evil spirits of the deep, and is seen in various shapes warning the devoted wretch of death and woe. Smollett. Davy Jones's Locker, the ocean, or bottom of the ocean. -- Gone to Davy Jones's Locker, dead, and buried in the sea; thrown overboard.

Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated. "Dedicate to nothing temporal." Shak.

The state of being devoted; addiction; eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness. Genius animated by a fervent spirit of devotion. Macaulay.

A devotee. Dr. J. Scott.