Definition of: near

(nir) adjective
1. Not distant in place, time, or degree; nigh; contiguous.
2. Closely related by blood or affection; familiar.
3. Closely touching one's interests.
4. In riding or driving, placed on the left: opposed to off.
5. Following or imitating closely; literal: a near copy; also, resembling or substituted for: near beer.
6. Penurious or miserly; stingy.
7. Short or speedy; tending to lessen a distance: a near way.
8. Avoiding by a narrow margin; close: a near escape. See synonyms under ADJACENT.
—adverb
1. At little distance; not remote in place, time, or degree.
2. Nearly; almost; approximately.
3. In a close relation; intimately.
4. Naut. Close to the wind.
5. Stingily; parsimoniously.
—v.t. & v.i. To come or draw near (to); approach.
—prep. Close by or to. See synonyms under AT. [OE nēar, comp. of nēah NIGH]
—near′ness noun