Open means not closed, blocked, or shut, so that things can go in or out. It can also mean ready to accept new ideas or people.
From Old English “open” meaning “not closed, free, uncovered.” It is related to other Germanic words for open and originally suggested something that is exposed or unlocked.
We use the same word “open” for doors, minds, and files, which shows how our brains treat ideas like physical spaces. When you ‘open up’ to someone, your language is borrowing the image of a door swinging wide.
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