adj.
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 a : not far distant in time, place, or degree <in the near future> b : almost happening : narrowly missed or avoided <a near win in the primary> <a near midair collision> c : nearly not happening <a near escape>
2 : closely related or intimately associated <her near est and dearest friend>
3 a : being the closer of two <the near side> b : being the left-hand one of a pair <the near wheel of a cart>
4 : DIRECT , SHORT <the near est road>
5 : STINGY , CLOSEFISTED
6 a : closely resembling the standard or typical <a near desert> b : approximating the genuine < near silk>
– near · ness noun