Near /(nēr)/

1. At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.

   My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me.

2. Nearly; almost; well-nigh.

   Near about the yearly value of the land.

3. Closely; intimately.

1. Not far distant in time, place, or degree; not remote; close at hand; adjacent; neighboring; nigh.

   He served great Hector, and was ever near, Not with his trumpet only, but his spear.

2. Closely connected or related.

   She is thy father's near kinswoman.

3. Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near friend.
4. Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling; as, a version near to the original.
5. So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow{3}; as, a near escape; a near miss.
6. Next to the driver, when he is on foot; in the Unted States, on the left of an animal or a team; as, the near ox; the near leg. See Off side, under Off, a.
7. Immediate; direct; close; short.
8. Close-fisted; parsimonious. [Obs. or Low, Eng.]

1. Adjacent to; close by; not far from; nigh; as, the ship sailed near the land. See the Note under near, a.

imp. & p. p. Neared; p. pr. & vb. n Nearing

1. To approach; to come nearer; as, the ship neared the land.

1. To draw near; to approach.

   A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist! And still it neared, and neared.