O″penv. t. [imp. & p. p.Opened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Opening.] [AS. openian. See Open,a.] 1. To make or set open; to render free of access; to unclose; to unbar; to unlock; to remove any fastening or covering from; as, to open a door; to open a box; to open a room; to open a letter.
And all the windows of my heart
I open to the day. Whittier.
2. To spread; to expand; as, to open the hand.
3. To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to explain.
The king opened himself to some of his council, that he was sorry for the earl's death. Bacon.
Unto thee have I opened my cause. Jer. xx. 12.
While he opened to us the Scriptures. Luke xxiv. 32.
4. To make known; to discover; also, to render available or accessible for settlements, trade, etc.
The English did adventure far for to open the North parts of America. Abp. Abbot.
5. To enter upon; to begin; as, to open a discussion; to open fire upon an enemy; to open trade, or correspondence; to open a case in court, or a meeting.
6. To loosen or make less compact; as, to open matted cotton by separating the fibers.
To open one's mouth, to speak. — To open up, to lay open; to discover; to disclose.
Poetry that had opened up so many delightful views into the character and condition of our “bold peasantry, their country's pride.” Prof. Wilson.