'close-range' is a modern English compound formed from 'close' and 'range'. 'close' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'clos', where 'clos' meant 'shut, enclosed' (from Latin 'clausus'). 'range' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'rang' (or 'ran(g)e'), where 'rang' meant 'row, order; extent'.

'close' changed from Latin 'clausus' to Old French 'clos', then to Middle English 'close' and finally to modern English 'close'. 'range' changed from a Germanic/Frankish root (reconstructed *hrang) into Old French 'rang'/'range' and then into Middle English 'range', developing senses of 'row' and 'extent' before taking on distance-related meanings. The compound 'close-range' emerged in modern English by combining these two elements to describe proximity or short distance.

Initially, 'close' meant 'shut/enclosed' and 'range' meant 'row/extent'; over time 'range' developed senses related to distance or extent, and the compound evolved to mean 'within a short distance' or 'occurring at short distance'.