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near(2) (iou)



near adverb1 & preposition1. Now arch. & dial.
[Old English near etc. compar. of neah NIGH adverb, corresp. to Old Frisian niar, Old Saxon nahor, Gothic nehwis, from Germanic.]
Nearer, closer, now chiefly (in neg. & interrog. contexts) to an end or purpose.
near and near arch. nearer and nearer. no near! Nautical (ordering a helmsman to) come no closer to the wind.
Shakespeare Macbeth The near in blood, The nearer bloody.
? Superseded in general use by nearer.