adv. 1. In a close manner. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Secretly; privately. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
That nought she did but wayle, and often steepe Her dainty couch with tears which closely she did weepe. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
adj. owned by a relatively few shareholders; -- of business organizations; as, a closely-held corporation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
adj. bound together by intimate ties, social, personal, cultural or political; as, closely-knit little villages; a close-knit family. [ WordNet 1.5 ]