The quality or state of being physically near something or someone, or emotionally intimate and connected.
From Middle English 'close' (near or shut) combined with the suffix '-ness' creating an abstract noun. 'Close' derives from Old French 'clos' meaning shut or enclosed, ultimately from Latin 'clausus' meaning closed.
Psychologically, closeness between people triggers the release of oxytocin, sometimes called the 'bonding hormone,' which is why humans intuitively seek physical and emotional closeness—it's literally embedded in our biology to prefer togetherness over isolation.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.