[near] adv [ME ner, partly fr. ner nearer, fr. OE near, comparative of neah nigh; partly fr. ON naer nearer, compar. of na- nigh--more at nigh] (13c) 1: at, within, or to a short distance or time
2: almost, nearly "~ dead"
3: in a close or intimate manner: closely "~ related"
4. archaic: in a frugal manner
[2]near prep (13c): close to [3]near adj (14c) 1 a: not far distant in time, place, or degree "in the ~ future" b: almost happening: narrowly missed or avoided "a ~ win in the primary" "a ~ midair collision" c: nearly not happening "a ~ escape"
2: closely related or intimately associated 3 a: being the closer of two "the ~ side" b: being the left-hand one of a pair "the ~ wheel of a cart"
4: direct, short "the ~est road"
5: stingy, closefisted
6. a: closely resembling the standard or typical "a ~ desert" b: approximating the genuine "~ silk" -- near.ness n [4]near vb (1513): approach