late 14c., from Old French closet "small enclosure, private room," diminutive of clos "enclosure," from Latin clausum "closed space, enclosure, confinement," from neuter past participle of claudere "to shut" (see close (v.)). In Matt. vi:6 it renders Latin cubiculum "bedchamber, bedroom," Greek tamieion "chamber, inner chamber, secret room;" thus originally in English "a private room for study or prayer." Modern sense of "small side-room for storage" is first recorded 1610s.
The adjective is from 1680s, "private, secluded;" meaning "secret, unknown" recorded from 1952, first of alcoholism, but by 1970s used principally of homosexuality; the phrase come out of the closet "admit something openly" first recorded 1963, and lent new meanings to the word out.
"shut up as in a closet" (originally usually for purposes of concealment or private consultation), 1680s, from closet (v.). Related: Closeted; closeting.
双语例句
1. I suspect he's a closet fascist.
我怀疑他是秘密的法西斯分子。
来自《权威词典》
2. It's just an old rag I had in the closet.
这只不过是我挂在壁橱里的旧衣服罢了.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. She packaged up the old clothes and put them in the closet.
她把旧衣服包成一包放到衣橱里.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. He ensconced himself in the closet in order to eavesdrop.
