- opening
-
/oh"peuh ning/, n.1. an act or instance of making or becoming open.2. the act of a person or thing that opens.3. an unobstructed or unoccupied space or place.4. a void in solid matter; a gap, hole, or aperture.5. a tract of land thinly wooded as compared with adjoining forest tracts.6. the act of beginning; start; commencement: the opening of a new session of Congress.7. the first part or initial stage of anything.8. an employment vacancy; an unfilled position or job: There are no openings for clerks today.9. an opportunity; chance.10. a formal or official beginning, as of a sport season or a season's sale of goods: the opening of the deer-hunting season; Swimsuits sold well at the summer opening.11. the first performance of a theatrical production.12. the first public showing or use of something: the opening of an art exhibition.13. a celebration of the first public showing or performance or of the first use or start of something: The new supermarket is going to give away prizes at its opening.14. Law. the statement of the case made by counsel to the court or jury preliminary to adducing evidence.15. a mode of beginning a game: a manual of chess openings.[1125-75; ME; see OPEN, -ING1]Syn. 4. orifice; slit, breach, rift, chasm, cleft, fissure, rent.Ant. 1. closing.
* * *
Universalium. 2010.