Close

Fr. Plié

1. In heraldry, the word is used to express the wings of an eagle or falcon when folded or closed to the body. The word close is often unnecessarily added to other birds which are generally depicted with closed wings, if the contrary is not expressed by describing the particular way in which the wings are distended. In particular it should not be applied to the peacock, dunghill-cock or any other bird not accustomed to flight.

The swan is the only bird to which it is properly applied when thus borne, the usual way of depicting the swan being with the wings raised, in their natural position when swimming. All other birds, in general, are implied to be close. Closs or closse may also be encountered in ancient orthography. Also Trussed.

See Winged Creatures in  Attitudes

2. A horse's barnacle when in the closed position.

3. Variously encountered to describe a pot-helm without a visor or on the other hand a bascinet with the visor down.