opener

noun13

1. •
   A person who opens something.

   • Have you, like the opener of this debate, discovered, sapiently enough, that "the peace party, with Lord Aberdeen at their head, were the chief cause of the war"? — 1863
2. •
   A device that opens something; specifically a tin-opener/can-opener, or a bottle opener.
3. •
   The first act in a variety show or concert.
4. •
   The first in a series of events, items etc.; the first remark or sentence of a conversation.
5. •
   The first game played in a competition.

   • The opener came from a Jarvis ball which struck Aleksandar Kolarov en route to a lively round of pinball between City players before it was poked in by Milijas. — 2011
6. •
   A opening goal.
7. •
   A batsman or bowler who normally plays in the first two positions of an innings.
8. •
   A pitcher who specializes in getting the first outs of a game before being replaced, either by a long reliever or a pitcher who would normally start.
9. •
   A person employed to separate sheets of hot metal that become stuck together.
10. •
    [in compounds] An establishment that opens.

    • The late-night openers in the mall include two restaurants and a clothing store.
11. •
    The player who starts the betting.
12. •
    [in the plural] Cards of sufficient value to enable a player to open the betting.
13. •
    A period of time when it is legal to commercially fish.