Main Entry:

³near

Function:

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 nearest 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 nearest road>5: stingy, closefisted6 a: closely resembling the standard or typical <a near desert> b: approximating the genuine <near silk>

— near·ness noun