I. ˈnir adverb
Etymology: Middle English ner, partly from ner nearer, from Old English nēar, comparative of nēah nigh; partly from Old Norse nær nearer, comparative of nā- nigh — more at nigh
Date: 13th century
1. : at, within, or to a short distance or time
sunset was drawing near
2. : almost , nearly
was near dead
3. : in a close or intimate manner : closely
near related
4. archaic : in a frugal manner
II. preposition
Date: 13th century
: close to
beaches near the city
seemed to be near death
III. 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
IV. verb
Date: 1513
: approach