Near (nēr), adv. [AS. neár, compar. of neáh nigh. See Nigh.] 1. At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.
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My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me. Milton.
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2. Nearly; almost; well-nigh. “Near twenty years ago.” Shak. “Near a fortnight ago.” Addison.
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Near about the yearly value of the land. Locke.
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3. Closely; intimately. Shak.
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Far and near, at a distance and close by; throughout a whole region. -- To come near to, to want but little of; to approximate to. “Such a sum he found would go near to ruin him.” Addison. -- Near the wind (Naut.), close to the wind; closehauled.
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Near, prep. Adjacent to; close by; not far from; nigh; as, the ship sailed near the land. See the Note under near, a.
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Near, v. i. To draw near; to approach.
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A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!
And still it neared, and neared. Coleridge.
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