Also 8 closier. [f. CLOSE v. + -ER. Cf. OF. closier (Godefr.).] One who or that which closes (in various senses of the vb.).
1611. Cotgr., Affermisseur, a strengthener; compactor, closer.
1650. trans. Bacon’s Life & Death, 63. Malacissation is wrought by Consubstantials, by Imprinters, and by Closers up.
a. 1821. Keats, Misc. Poems, 217. Closer of lovely eyes to lovely dreams.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 19 Nov., 3/2. Sunday closers [advocates of Sunday closing] will be surprised to learn … that on Sunday ‘the inns are empty.’
2. Boot-making. The workman that ‘closes’ or joins together the uppers of boots or shoes.
1724. Lond. Gaz., No. 6249/8. Elizabeth Pocock … Closer of Shooes.
1866. Lond. Rev., 27 Oct., 459/2. Clickers, blockers, runners, closers.
1889. D. F. Schloss, in Charity Organis. Rev., Jan., 7, note. Closers make the uppers of boots.
3. Building. A stone or brick of smaller size than the rest, used to close or end a wall, or course of brickwork. King closer, Queen closer: see quot. 1876 (Sometimes closure, formerly closier.)
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 261. ’Tis usual to lay a Closier next the Header on both sides of the Wall…. To make the Wall much stronger, lay a Closure on one side, and none on the other.
1734. Builder’s Dict., s.v. Brick, At an upright Quoin in a Brick and half Wall … it is usual to lay a Closer next the Header, on both Sides of the Walls.
1876. Gwilt, Archit., Gloss. s.v. Closer, Closers in brickwork, are pieces of bricks (or bats) less or greater than half a brick, that are used to close in the end of a course of brickwork … a quarter brick (or bat) … interposed to preserve the continuity of the bond … is called a queen-closer … a three-quarter bat at the angle in the stretching-course … is called a king-closer.
