closer

adj

1. comparative form of close: more close

   “In the spring of 1938 the Japanese imperialists invaded Yü-tz'u and T'ai-ku in Shansi. Everyone was in panic as the flames of war came closer and closer to Hsiang-yüan hsien.”

   “[The researchers] noticed many of their pieces of [plastic marine] debris sported surface pits around two microns across. Such pits are about the size of a bacterial cell. Closer examination showed that some of these pits did, indeed, contain bacteria, […].”

adv

1. Within a shorter distance.

   “Come closer, my dear.”

noun

Etymology: From Middle English closere, equivalent to close (verb) + -er.

1. Someone or something that closes.

   “In our organization, the VP of Sales usually acts as the closer.”

2. Someone or something that concludes.

   “The DJ chose a fantastic track as his closer at the end of the night.”

3. Synonym of close (“the point at the end of a sales pitch when the consumer is asked to buy”).
4. The last stone in a horizontal course, if smaller than the others; a piece of brick finishing a course.

   “The longitudinal bond of the walls is only 24 inches, or one fourth of the length of a brick of 9 inches, and is obtained by introducing closers 24 inches broad”

5. A relief pitcher who specializes in getting the last three outs of the game.

   “They brought their closer in for the ninth.”

6. A horse that performs best toward the end of a race.