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near
3 dictionary results for: nearest
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
near       [neer] Pronunciation Key adverb, -er, -est, adjective, -er, -est, preposition, verb
–adverb
1.close; to a point or place not far away: Come near so I won't have to shout.
2.at, within, or to a short distance.
3.close in time: The New Year draws near.
4.close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination): a near-standing position.
5.all but; almost; nearly: a period of near 30 years.
6.Nautical. close to the wind.
7.Archaic. in a thrifty or stingy manner.
–adjective
8.being close by; not distant: the near fields.
9.being the lesser in distance: the near side.
10.short or direct: the near road.
11.close in time: the near future.
12.closely related or connected: our nearest relatives.
13.close to an original: a near translation.
14.closely affecting one's interests or feelings: a matter of near consequence to one.
15.intimate or familiar: a near friend.
16.narrow or close: a near escape.
17.thrifty or stingy: near with one's pocketbook.
18.(of two draft animals hitched together) being on the driver's left (as opposed to off): The near horse is going lame.
–preposition
19.at, to, or within a short distance, or no great distance, from or of: regions near the equator.
20.close to in time: near the beginning of the year.
21.close to a condition or state: He is near death.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
22.to come or draw near; approach: The boat neared the dock. Storm clouds neared.
—Idiom
23.near at hand,
a.in the immediate vicinity: There is a shopping area near at hand.
b.in the near future; soon: The departure is near at hand.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME nere, OE néar, comp. of néah nigh]

—Related forms
nearness, noun

—Synonyms 11. imminent, impending, approaching. 17. tight, miserly.
—Antonyms 1, 2, 8–11, 18. far. 17. generous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
near       (nîr)  Pronunciation Key 
adv.   near·er, near·est
  1. To, at, or within a short distance or interval in space or time.
  2. Just about; almost; nearly: was near exhausted from the labor; near dead after the assault.
  3. With or in a close relationship.

adj.   nearer, nearest
  1. Close in time, space, position, or degree: near equals.
  2. Closely related by kinship or association; intimate: a near relative; a near and dear friend. See Synonyms at close.
    1. Nearly occurring but not actually happening: a near victory; a near disaster.
    2. Just barely avoided: a near hit by the incendiary bomb.
    3. Closely corresponding to or resembling an original: a near likeness.
    4. Closely resembling the genuine article: a dress of near satin; near silver beads.
    5. Closer of two or more: Take the near street and then turn right.
    6. Being on the left side of an animal or a vehicle.
    7. Being the animal or vehicle on the left.
    1. Closely corresponding to or resembling an original: a near likeness.
    2. Closely resembling the genuine article: a dress of near satin; near silver beads.
    3. Closer of two or more: Take the near street and then turn right.
    4. Being on the left side of an animal or a vehicle.
    5. Being the animal or vehicle on the left.
    1. Closer of two or more: Take the near street and then turn right.
    2. Being on the left side of an animal or a vehicle.
    3. Being the animal or vehicle on the left.
  6. Short and direct: the nearest route to town.
  7. Stingy; parsimonious.

prep.   Close to: an inn near London.

v.   neared, near·ing, nears

v.   tr.
To come close or closer to.

v.   intr.
To draw near or nearer; approach.


[Middle English ner, from Old English nēar, from comparative of nēah, close, near.]

near'ness n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
nearest

adverb
(superlative of 'near' or 'close') within the shortest distance; "that was the time he came nearest to death" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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