Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Positioned near to each other: Describes two or more things, especially features on a face, that are situated with very little space between them.

Usage

• The adjective "close set" is used to describe the spatial relationship between two similar objects, most commonly facial features like eyes or teeth. It is typically hyphenated when used attributively (before a noun) and often written as separate words when used predicatively (after a linking verb like 'are' or 'appear').

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):

  • She has close-set eyes.
  • The boxer had a distinctive face with a close-set jaw.

• Predicative use (after a linking verb):

  • Her eyes are close set.
  • The teeth appeared unusually close set in the X-ray.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive Nuance: While often neutral, the term can sometimes carry a subtle descriptive or even mildly critical connotation regarding appearance, depending on context.
  • The critic described the portrait's subject as having an intense gaze from his close-set eyes.

Variants and Related Words

• Close-set (hyphenated): The standard adjectival form, especially when used before a noun.
• Closely set: An adverbial phrase that can function similarly, meaning "arranged with little space between."
  • The gems were closely set in the bracelet.

Synonyms

• Narrow-set: Having a small distance between.
• Near-set: Positioned very near to each other.

Antonyms

• Wide-set: Having a broad or large distance between.
• Far apart: Separated by a significant space.

Adjective

1. set close together
   • close-set eyes
   • close-set teeth
   • her eyes are close set