shut

I. verb (shut; shutting) Etymology: Middle English shetten, shutten, from Old English scyttan; akin to Middle Dutch schutten to shut in, Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to move into position to close an opening <

shut the lid

> b. to prevent entrance to or passage to or from 2. to confine by or as if by enclosure <

shut herself in her study

> 3. to fasten with a lock or bolt 4. to close by bringing enclosing or covering parts together <

shut the eyes

> 5. to cause to cease or suspend an operation or activity — often used with down intransitive verb 1. to close itself or become closed <

flowers that shut at night

> 2. to cease or suspend an operation or activity — often used with down II. adjective Date: 15th century 1. closed, fastened, or folded together 2. rid, clear, free — usually used with of III. noun Date: 1667 the act of shutting