The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Near \Near\ (n[=e]r), adv. [AS. ne['a]r, compar. of ne['a]h
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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