next, a., n., and adv.
(nɛkst)
Forms: α. 1 néahst(a, néhst(a, next(a, nexsta, 2–6 nexte, (3 næxte, 4 nekste, 5 nextte), 3–5 nexste, 3– next, (4 nekist, neghst), 3–5 nexst, (4 nexist), 6–7 nex; 1 n{iacu}ehsta, n{yacu}hst(a, n{iacu}hsta, nyxt(a, 4 nixte, 5–6 Sc. nixt, (6 nyxt). β. 1 nésta, (north. neesta, neista), 3–5 nest(e, 3 nesst, 4 neiste, neyste, 4–5 neest; north. and Sc. 4–9 neist, (4 neiest, 4–5 neyst), 8– 9 niest, neisht.
[OE. néahst, n{iacu}ęhst, etc., superlative of néah nigh, = OFris. nest, neest (mod.Fris. nejst, neyst), MDu. naest (Du. naast), OS. nâhist, náist, MLG. nâgest, nâst, nêgest, nêist (hence MDa. nægest, negst, MSw. nägest, -ist); OHG. náhist-er (adv. nâhost; MHG. nâhest, nâst, næhest, næst; G. nächst), ON. nǽst-r (Sw. näst, Da. næst). The usual forms in OE. are those of the weak decl. néhsta, n{yacu}hsta, etc., corresponding to OFris. neste, -ta, OS. nâ(h)isto, OHG. nâhisto, -esto, -osto (MHG. nâhste, næhste), ON. nǽste, -ti.]
A. adj. and n. I. In attributive use, or absolutely as n.
† 1. a. Lying nearest in place or position. Obs.
In mod. use, as in the next house, town, etc., the adj. no longer denotes simple proximity (which is expressed by nearest), but involves the idea of sense 6.
| c 950 O.E. Chron. (Parker MS.) an. 921 Þa æfter ᵹegadorode micel folc..of þam niehstum burᵹum. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark i. 38 Gæ we..in ða neesto lond. a 1067 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 202 Þæt ðridde swun of æuesan ðæs nextan wudes ðe liþ to kyngesbyriᵹ. 1382 Wyclif Mark i. 38 Go we in to the nexte townes and citees. c 1400 Mandeville (1839) iv. 30 Whoso wil..come nerrer to Jerusalem, he schal go..to the port Jaff. For that is the nexte havene to Jerusalem. a 1450 Fysshynge w. Angle (1883) 16 Þe next plume to the hoke schall be ther from a large fote & more. 1533 Bellenden Livy v. xii. (S.T.S.) II. 190 Þe equis..chasit him with grete effray & dredoure to þe nixt montanis. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. xii. 14 Two smal riuers, whereof the next and greatest hath a bridge of stone. 1652 Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. 497 They in debt seeking onely to serv the next Market. 1710 Addison Tatler No. 229 ¶3 They say, when a Fox is very much troubled with Fleas, he goes into the next Pool. |
b. † the next way, the shortest, most convenient or direct way. Obs. Hence next ways adv.
| a 1330 Otuel 437 He þoute þe nekste weie to ride. c 1386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 709 This messager..Unto the castel halt the nexte way. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 63 They yode over a mareys for the next waye, but thei felle in the myre. 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. xv. 29, I wyll retourne into Englande the nexte waye. 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. xiii. ix. (1622) 191 The legions were not brought the next way,..but went ouer a farre off. 1678 Bunyan Pilgr. i. (1862) 138 That comes down from our Country the next way into the way. 1767 Cries of Blood 10 The next way from that place to Mr. Harrison's house. |
| 1789 Cowper Let. 5 Nov. in Pearson's 81st Catal. (1900) 24, I have transmitted it, as we say, next ways, to Johnson. 1809 Batchelor Anal. Eng. Lang. 139, I will go next ways home. |
| fig. a 1568 R. Ascham Scholem. i. (Arb.) 86 Thus bred vp..to learne the next and readie way to sinne. 1601 Shakes. All's Well i. iii. 63, I speake the truth the next waie. 1632 Massinger & Field Fatal Dowry v. i, To let you go, Were the next way. |
2. a. Of persons: Living or dwelling nearest to one; happening to be nearest at a particular time. Now rare or Obs.
| a 1000 Daniel 411 (Gr.), Ða þæt ehtode ealdor þeode..wið þam nehstum folcᵹesiðum. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xiii. 373, I wolde Of my nexte neighbore nymen of his erthe. c 1440 Generydes 1894 To kynges and to princes all abought, The nexst that were marching on euery side. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 344 b, They publishe an other wryting, chiefly to the next inhabiters about them. 1598 J. Manwood Lawes Forest xix. §6. 144 An outcry unto the inhabitants and next dwellers within the same forest. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 414 To provide..against their next Enemies the Tartars, who make often incursions upon them. 1684 Coll. Connect. Hist. Soc. (1897) VI. 212 The Chimney veiwers..shall make presentment of what defects they find..to the next authority. 1771 Goldsm. Hist. Eng. II. 257 He was obliged to make a short confession to the next priest that was at hand. |
† b. absol. (One's) neighbour. Obs.
| c 825 Vesp. Psalter xxvii. 3 Ða ðe spreocað sibbe mid ðone nestan. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xii. 31 Lufa ðone neesta ðinne suæ ðec seolfne. c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) cxxi. 8 Mine þa neahstan [ic] nemne swylce. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 13 Ne spec þu aᵹein þine nexta nane false witnesse. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 3515 Ne gisce ðu nog ðin nestes ðing. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 6729 Min frend & mi nexte ney stondeþ aȝe me. 1340 Ayenb. 145 Hi deþ man parfitliche louie his nixte ase him-zelue. |
c. the next man (one, person, etc.): the average man; a typical man; the next comer. orig. U.S.
| 1857 Lawrence (Kan.) Republican 18 June 2 The Judge..will probably talk as long to a crowd without tiring them as the next man. 1897 Kipling Capt. Cour. i. 5 Guess I've as good right here as the next man. 1900 Ade More Fables in Slang 175 Lutie was just about as Nifty as the Next One. 1902 S. G. Fisher True Hist. Amer. Revol. 146 We do not surrender our property to the next man who is an abler business manager. 1925 S. O'Casey Juno & Paycock ii, in Two Plays 105 We have to live as well as th' nex' man. 1933 E. Caldwell God's Little Acre iii. 37 Will can dig as good as the next one, if he wants to. 1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock iii. iv. 135 He'd been a loyal old geezer, he hadn't done as much harm as the next man. 1941 L. Bromfield in Hearst's International May 131/2 She thought: I'll show them that I'm as good as the next woman. I'll take care of myself. 1961 Sunday Times 5 Mar. 15/2 Cecil Beaton..can appreciate the ‘excruciatingly bad taste’ of a Lancashire living-room as well as the next designer. 1962 L. Peters Snatch of Music ix. 155, I can read a paperback translation with the next man. 1966 A. E. Lindop I start Counting xviii. 222, I can take a hint as well as the next person—and I know when I'm not wanted. 1973 Sunday Bulletin (Philadelphia) (Discover Suppl.) 14 Oct. 8/2, I feel you owe me a smidgin more than the next person. |
3. a. Nearest in relationship or kinship. Also absol. in the next of (one's) blood, kin, etc. (See kin n.1 8 c, and akin adv. 1.)
| a 889 K. ælfred Charter in O.E. Texts 451 Ᵹif heo bearn nebbe, feo ðonne an hire reht federen sio neste hond to þem londe. a 1000 Penit. Egbert in Thorpe Laws II. 188 Gif hwylc man wifiᵹe on his nehstan maᵹan. c 1205 Lay. 22837 Nimeð al his nexte cun Þa ȝe maȝen iuinden. Ibid. 32122 [The king] inemned was Alain, Cadwalader nexte mæi. a 1300 Cursor M. 13598 Þe neist men of his oxspring Did þai þan be-for þam bring. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 440 Criste shulde be oure nexste fadir, & his chirche oure nexste modir. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) xxvi. 124 His sonne or þe next of his blude. c 1477 Caxton Jason 48 Ye shalle assemble youre most next parentes and frendes. 1535 Coverdale Ruth iii. 9 Thou art the nexte kynsman. 1603 Owen Pembrokeshire ii. (1892) 30 All his inheritaunce came to his Nephewe Kinge Henry the seventh as next haire to the said Iasper. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 374 Their Friends attend the Herse, the next Relations mourn. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. 501 Till process hath first issued to call in the widow, or next of kin, to contest it. 1769 Goldsm. Hist. Rome (1786) I. 13 Having previously communicated his intentions to his five next of kindred. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 352 Lands were devised to Robert Archer for life, afterwards to his next heir male. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 91 The betrothal of the parties shall be made by the next of kin. |
b. next friend, nearest friend or relative. In later use spec. in Law.
| c 897 K. ælfred Gregory's Past. C. xlix. 377 Hwæt, hie witon, ᵹif hiera niehstan friend weorðað wædlan. c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) lxxxvii. 18 Þu me afyrdest frynd þa nyhstan. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 Ȝif þin nexta freond agult wið þe..bide hine luueliche þet he þe do riht. 13.. Cursor M. 11409 (Gött.), His sun for him was sett again, Or his neist frend þat was fere. 1387–8 T. Usk Test. Love i. iv. (Skeat) l. 17 But enquyre of thy next frendes. a 1400–50 Alexander 619 So him neuyned was þe name of his next frendis. 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. ii. Wks. 1178/1 He maketh manye tymes oure next friendes our most foes. 1579 Termes of the Law 161 b, The next friende, or next of kynne to whom the lands cannot come or discende, shall haue the keepyng of the heire. 1720 T. Wood Inst. Laws Eng. (1722) 13 An Infant, or Minor, shall sue by Prochein Amy (his next friend) or guardian,..but always defend by Guardian. 1883 Rules Supreme Court Order xvi. iii. xvi, Infants may sue as plaintiffs by their next friends. |
4. † a. Most pressing or important. Obs. rare—1.
| c 1205 Lay. 17153 Ich þe wulle ræden Of nexte þire neoden [c 1275 to þine nexste neode]. |
† b. Closest to hand, readiest, most convenient.
| c 1449 Pecock Repr. i. xiv. 75 The power of resoun..is not ordeyned..to be oure next and best and surest reuler. c 1538 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ii. II. 99 The next remedys to refourme all thies enormyties after my pore conceyte is as followith. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iv. vii. 273 Extremity makes the next the best remedy. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. Pref., Whose duty therefore he shows..with the next and proper means to suppress it. |
† c. Of ends, causes, etc.: Least remote, most proximate. Obs.
| 1628 T. Spencer Logick 6 The remote end of Logick, is the very act it selfe of discoursing... The next end of Logick, is to prescribe a way, and rules of discoursing. 1654 Z. Coke Logick 56 Forms are always next causes of many faculties in subjects. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. I. 117 The Instruments and next Causes of their sufferings. 1754 Edwards Freed. Will i. i. 2 It should be considered what is the next and immediate Objscect of the Will, with respect to a Man's Walking, or any other external Action. |
5. a. Of periods of time: Immediately following or succeeding. Also const. after, † of (quots. 1711).
In Sc. use, next is employed to designate the days of the following week; thus next Friday, the Friday of next week, is contrasted with this Friday, that of the present week. (Cf. the note to 10.)
| a 1122 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1086 He swealt..on þone nextan dæᵹ æfter natiuitas sancte Marie. c 1290 Beket 890 in S. Eng. Leg., For-to þe nexte daie we biddez furst. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xiii. 154 Þe Wednesday of þe nexte wyke after. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon iv. 129 The nexste morning after they departed. 1535 Coverdale 1 Sam. v. 3 Whan they rose vp early on the nexte morowe, they founde Dagon lyenge on his face. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 267 The Emperour..the nex daye came to Gieng. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. ii. ii. 11 The next ensuing howre, some foule mischance Torment me for my Loues forgetfulnesse. 1653 Holcroft Procopius, Goth. Wars ii. 40 The nex day..he ordered his Army for a fight. 1692 Dryden Ep. Southerne 31 Learn, after both, to draw some just design, And the next age will learn to copy thine. 1711 Fingail MSS. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 136 The next morning of the skirmish at the Boyn. Ibid. 154 The next day of the battle. 1771 Antiq. Sarisb. 5 They are arbitrary, often imposed..for reasons that did not exist the next hour. 1859 Helps Friends in C. Ser. ii. I. Addr. to Rdr. 10 What is written on public affairs in one week may be..obsolete..the next. 1894 Hall Caine Manxman v. xxi. 344 Grannie came to Elm Cottage next morning. |
| β 13.. Cursor M. 11377 (Gött.), Sum men sais þe neist ȝere Foluand, and sum..Sais tua ȝere efter þat þai come. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. x. 436 Not ane cannoune was schott or Lattne aff afor the neist day. 1722 Ramsay Elegy Ld. Carnegie iv, Ae day gives joy, The neist our hearts maun bleed. 1794 Piper of Peebles 18 (E.D.D.) Niest afternoon he was inter'd. 1802 R. Anderson Cumbld. Ball. 42 A week at Gilsland tou salt try, Neist summer, if we're spar'd. 1876 C. Gibbon Robin Gray iv, I'll see how ye're getting on the morn or neist day. |
b. Of persons, things, occasions, etc.: Coming directly after another in point of time; without anything of the same kind intervening.
| ? a 1400 Arthur 508 Þe kyng Maxymyan,—Þe next after Octauyan. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 758 The nixt vacant, be ressonabill richt, That hapnis in France. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. i. viii. 21 He well knew, that at the next floud the ship would be afloate againe. 1672 Lady M. Bertie in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 26, I believe next news I heare will be that you are going to bee married. 1727 Gay Begg. Opera i. x, Have him peach'd the next Sessions. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. i. §7 Whoever escapes punishment in this life will be sure to find it in the next. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 614 At the next court the surrender was presented. 1840 P. Parley's Ann. I. 116, I promise never to do so any more, not till the next time. 1892 H. M. Stephens Albuquerque vii. 174 More extensive powers than were exercised by Albuquerque and his next successors. |
c. ellipt. with omission of letter, number († or post).
| c 1645 Howell Lett. i. xvi. 26 In my next, I shall impart unto you what State-news France affords. 1655 Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 282 My seruice to my beloued Lord Gerrard, to whome I will write by the next. 1733 Berkeley Let. Wks. 1871 IV. 207 In your next let me know your thoughts on this and the whole affair. 1793 Cowper Let. to Newton 25 Apr., I..shall be obliged to you if, in your next, you will mention [etc.]. 1867 Ruskin Time & Tide xxii. §145 To reserve suggestions of answer for my next. 1893 McCarthy Red Diamonds III. 172 Some serial story which stopped at an exciting point with the words—To be continued in our next. |
6. a. Immediately succeeding or preceding in respect of position, order, arrangement, value, etc.
Precedence is denoted by the addition of before, etc., except in the second quot. from Wyclif.
| c 1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia VIII. 327 On þam circule fiftyne niht hiᵹ onfoð on þære nextan linan. a 1300 Cursor M. 26877 Thinges thre þe quhilk i tald þe..In þe neist formast questiun. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 4 Þis gospel telliþ, as þe nexte bifore, how Joon made redy þe weye to Crist. Ibid. 318 As it is seid in þe nexte [= last] Sermon, of þis lore ben many gabbingis. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 13 The good man that shroue the woman in the nexst tale afore. 1577 Fulke Confut. Purg. 363 When he him selfe in the next leafe before, affirmeth [etc.]. 1693 Humours Town 52 By that time one has done with his Intrigues, the next has fresh Adventures to impart. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. ii. 688 My next Desire is, void of Care and Strife, To lead a soft, secure, inglorious Life. 1712 Budgell Spect. No. 425 ¶1 Such a Tranquility of Mind, as is I believe the next Happiness to that of hereafter. a 1756 Eliza Heywood New Present (1771) 254 In the next place, the chairs should be dusted. 1816 Scott Antiq. xl, I dinna mind the neist verse weel—my memory's failed. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xvii. 167 The first one of you that comes..is a dead man, and the next, and the next. 1875 Jevons Money (1878) 257 The organization of the Clearing House will be described in the next chapter. |
b. Of persons in respect of position, birth, etc.
| c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 461 Þe pope is holdun moost & nexst viker of iesu crist. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 265 In good espeir To ben himself the develes heir, As he which is his nexte liche. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 15 The inheritaunce..came unto Jane the next syster. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 781 When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake. 1891 T. Hardy Tess iii, There was an interval of four years and more between Tess and the next of the family. |
| absol. 1607 Tourneur Rev. Trag. ii. i, The Next of Italy commends him to you. |
c. next best, second-best.
| a 1674 Clarendon (J.), If the king himself had stayed at London, or, which had been the next best, kept his court at York. 1700 Wallis in Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 318 Who did..out-leap..the next-best leaper..by seven inches. 1824 Scott St. Ronan's ii, The Blue room is the best—and they that get neist best are no ill aff. 1870 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. i. (1873) 79 In poetry, to be next-best is, in one sense, to be nothing. |
† 7. a. on next, at (the) next, in the next place, directly after or succeeding. Obs. rare.
| a 1400–50 Alexander 2795 Þen to Nostanda on next þus notis he a lettir. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 2422 A-bowte the cete tha seuene they soughte at the nextte, To seke theme a sekyre place. c 1449 Pecock Repr. ii. vii. 177 Immediatli at next to the now bifore alleggid text of Peter this proces folewith. |
† b. at the next, directly at hand. Obs. rare.
| c 1425 Orolog. Sapient. v. in Anglia X. 363/4, I see & know þat I maye no lenger lyue and þat deth is atte þe nexte. c 1449 Pecock Repr. ii. xx. 271 What a man mai not haue..at the next and immediatli, he wole be..weel plesid for to haue it mediatli. |
† 8. a. (OE. only.) Last. Obs.
| c 825 Vesp. Psalter lxxii. 17 Oððæt ic ingae in godes haliᵹ portic & ongete ða nestan heara [L. novissima eorum]. c 900 Judith 73 Wiᵹᵹend stopon ut of ðam inne..þe ðone wærloᵹan..læddon to bedde nehstan siðe. 971 Blickl. Hom. 21 Ne biþ he godes leof on þæm nehstan dæᵹe. |
† b. at next, at (the) last. Obs.
| c 825 Vesp. Hymns vii. in O.E. Texts 411 [Ic] oteawu hwet bið him ot nestan. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxvi. 60 æt nesta ða cuomon twoeᵹe leaso..ᵹewitneso. c 1000 ælfric Hom. II. 572 Ða æt nextan comon ða stuntan mædenu. a 1122 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1086 æt nextan he ne sparode his aᵹenne broðor. |
II. In predicative use or following the n.
Also const. to, about, etc., and sometimes in quasi-adverbial use with adjoining, ensuing, etc.
9. a. Nearest in place or position.
| c 900 tr. Bæda's Hist. ii. xvi. (Schipper) 177 (MS. B) Seo mæᵹð nyhst on suðhealfe Humbre streames. c 900 O.E. Chron. (Parker MS.) an. 878 ælfred..was winnende wiþ þone here, & Sumur sætna dæl se þær niehst wæs. a 1300 Cursor M. 1692 In þe ouermast stage [of the ark] þi self sal be, þe fouxules alþernest be þe. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 293 Ȝif þe water of þat welle is..i-helte vppon a stoon þat is next to þe welle. 1515 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. iii. 148 A Forge next to the Hertyshorn in Westsmyth⁓feld. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII 13 Then were his continuall enemyes next to the gate of his realme. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. Prol. 49 Than agane Marr lyes on the costsyde neist. 1631 Gouge God's Arrows iv. §15. 396 This with-drawing chamber was next to his bed⁓chamber. 1662 Stanley Hist. Philos., Chaldaick (1701) 14/1 From the places next about the Moon. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 113 Wastes..when improved..are..to be assessed to all parochial rates in the parish next adjoining. |
† b. transf. of help, accidents, attainment, etc.
| a 1250 Owl & Night. 688 Hwenne þe bale is alre hekst, Þenne is þe bote alre nest. c 1290 Beket 1534 in S. Eng. Leg., Ȝwane a man is In mest soruwe and teone, Þanne is ore louerdes grace next. 13.. Cursor M. 62 (Gött.), He þat wenis stiffest to stand, War him hijs fal is neist at hand. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 108 For whanne I wende next have be,..Thanne was I furthest ate laste. 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 35 b, This rule holdeth in causes that are next adjoynyng. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 839 When he is..next to his mischaunce for his offences and crimes. |
c. As complement with verbs of rest or motion.
| c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 1502 But nat in comparyson to Glose that sat next. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 164 Deide to vs approachis neist. 1579 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 153 He put his hand into his pockit and pullid owt..sutch moony..as cam next to hande. 1676 Hobbes Iliad i. 387 Up you fetch'd Briareus..And set him next to Jove. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 2 ¶4 Next to Sir Andrew in the Club-Room sits Captain Sentry. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia viii. vi, [She] drew a chair next to her. |
10. a. Of days, etc.: Immediately following; coming directly after (the time in question).
In Sc. use, as applied to the days of the week, next (as in Friday next) is contrasted with first: see first a. 1 h, and cf. the note to 5 above.
| c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 3791 For al ðis, oðer day ðor was nest, Agenes moyses and is prest Gan al ðis folc wið wreðe gon. a 1300 Cursor M. 19135 Þe toþer dai þat folud neist [Fairf. atte was neiste]. c 1386 Chaucer Shipman's T. 307 The sonday next the marchaund was agoon. 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. viii. 18 To morowe next we shall haue a great assaute. 1596 Spenser F.Q. vi. iii. 11 The morrow next, when day gan to uplooke. 1711 Budgell Spect. No. 67 ¶18 The Collection of Pictures which is to be Exposed to Sale on Friday next. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 466 Henry would, before the end of Michaelmas term then next, levy a fine. 1835 Dickens Let. ? June (1965) I. 64 It will give me pleasure;..and I am sure will be excellent practice for you against Christmas next. 1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. iv. 5 We know what France suddenly became in the end of February next. |
b. With after, before, ensuing, to come.
| 1386 Rolls of Parlt. III. 225/1 Nichol Brembre..pro⁓posed hym the yere next after Johan Northampton Mair of the same Citee. 1424 Paston Lett. I. 12 The nyghte next biforne the feste. 1472–3 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 60/1 From the vi{supt}{suph} day of Aprill next to come. 1474 Ibid. 108/2 In the Oeptas of Seint John Baptist next ensuyng the forseid xxi day of Januar'. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 270 b, Beeyng the daye nexte before his death. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 296 So trewis and abstinacie was tane and proclemit..to the first day of January nixtocum. 1588 A. King tr. Canisius' Catech. G viij b, Ye sonday nixt efter ye 14 change of ye moone. |
11. a. Immediately following (or going before) in order or succession.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 6948 Quen aaron was ded, þe priste, His sun eliazar was neist. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 83 And next upon that other side..yit ther is The point seconde. a 1400–50 Alexander 1456 Sone sall I neuen ȝow þe note þat is next eftir. 1549 Latimer's 2nd Serm. bef. Edw. VI To Rdr. (Arb.) 46 Numa Pompilus, who was..created king [of] the Romaynes next after Romulus. 1583 T. Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. iii. 746 As more at large is set downe in the booke next before. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa iii. 165 Next of all are the stables, wherein their horses are marvellous well tended. 1645 Gataker God's Eye on Israel 23 As he had spoken of in the verse next beforegoing. |
b. As complement with come or follow.
| c 1440 Generydes 1940 Nexst after come the kyng of Nicomede. 1533 Gau Richt Vay 9 This command followis nixt effter the iii commandis pertenand to god. 1667 Milton P.L. i. 446 Thammuz came next behind, Whose annual wound [etc.]. 1884 tr. Lotze's Logic 452 The very criterion which follows next in order. |
c. what next? as an exclamation of surprise.
| 1838 Shaftesbury Diary 19 Oct. in Life (1886) I. vi. 237 As old ladies say, What next? 1858 Punch XXXIV. 2 Well, I'm sure! What next, I wonder! |
12. a. Nearest in respect of kinship, intimacy, or other such relationship.
| c 1307 Elegy Edw. I, iii, Helpeth mi sone, and crowneth him newe, For he is nest to buen ycore. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 92 William vnderstode, þat he said reson, & was next of blode. 1382 Wyclif Numb. xxvii. 11 The herytage shal be ȝeue to hem that ben next to him. c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 96 Begynne at þe knawynge of þyn owen sawle, þat is nest to þe. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 6950 To serue þe saynt he was neste. 1620 J. Wilkinson Coroners & Sherifes 44 Make your pannels your selfe of such persons as bee most next, most sufficient, and not suspect. |
b. Approaching most closely (to a person or thing) in rank or excellence; coming immediately after (another) in this respect.
| 1535 Coverdale Esther x. 3 Mardocheus the Iewe was the seconde nexte [1611 was next] vnto kynge Ahasuerus. 1578 Cooper Thesaurus s.v. Secundus, A rege secundus, next in dignitie after the king. 1606 G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstine xi. 48 Promising to performe all Darius request, if he would acknowledge himselfe as next vnto him. 1628 T. Spencer Logick 197 That attribute bordreth next of all to mans particular essence. 1697 Dryden Virg. Past. v. 77 At least your lays Are next to his, and claim the second praise. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 335 Next to the capital, but next at an immense distance, stood Bristol. 1860 Merc. Mar. Mag. VII. 6 Next to an anemometric scale in value, is the Beaufort. |
c. In phr. next after (or † next under), next to, used in loose apposition to the person or thing spoken of.
| 1561 Winȝet First Tract. Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 13 The weil⁓fair of thy Maiestie, nixt efter God to vs..maist deirbelouit in erth. 1595 Drake's Voy. (Hakl. Soc.) 3 That quiet peace which wee, from the hands of Her Majestie (next under God) abundently enjoy. 1633 Sir J. Burroughs Sov. Brit. Seas (1651) 133 Next to the English they are now become the most redoubted Nation at Sea. 1700 S. Parker Six Philos. Ess. 53 Physicians, of all people, gather most Money next to the Collectors of the Taxes. 1809 W. Irving Knickerb. iii. i. 154 They were never either heard or talked of—which, next to being universally applauded, should be the ambition of all sage magistrates and rulers. 1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. i. (1863) 187 He was, next after Lucy,..by far the best news-gatherer of the country side. 1880 C. R. Markham Peruv. Bark 438 The East Indian source of supply is now the most important next to Colombia. |
13. a. next to, the nearest approach to; very nearly, almost.
| 1667 Milton P.L. vi. 316 Together both with next to Almighty Arme, Uplifted imminent one stroke they aim'd. 1699 Bentley Phal. 140 The very facility and naturalness of every correction will be next to a Demonstration.., that the Observation must needs be true. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 329 It must have been next to miraculous if they had escaped. 1753 Richardson Grandison (1811) II. xiii. 152 He loved his father, but next to adored his mother. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 198 It was thought next to impossible. 1828 Life Planter Jamaica 86 It would therefore, be next to a miracle, if he should detect a single stranger among such a host. 1887 Times (weekly ed.) 12 Sept. 7/4 In such circumstances..it would be next to impossible to open the eyes. |
b. With following negative.
| 1656 Tucker in Misc. Scott. Burgh Rec. Soc. (1891) 5 They profered at first that which was next to nothing. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 18 They may cost him next to nothing in the keeping. 1828 Moir Mansie Wauch xi. 185 The old flute was for next to no use at all. 1849 Grote Greece ii. xlviii. (1862) IV. 219 Ships, they had few; trained seamen, yet fewer; wealth, next to none. 1885 Manch. Exam. 11 Nov. 5/1 In his letter he has contrived, without being defiant, to concede next to nothing. |
c. to get (or be) next (to or on): to become acquainted or intimate with, to come to know; to find out about, to understand, to become worldly-wise, to acquire self-knowledge. Also to put next (to): to acquaint (one) (with). U.S. slang.
| 1896 [see brash a.2 b]. 1896 Ade Artie xvi. 146 I've been next, I'll tell you those. 1900 ― More Fables in Slang 109 She knew that the Treasurer of the Shoe Factory was Next to all these Boarding School Tactics. 1902 ‘D. Dix’ Fables of Elite 85 ‘Do you get Next to my Meaning?’ ‘I am on..and I apprehend that a wink to the Wise is sufficient.’ 1906 B. L. Taylor Extra Dry 24 Then along comes Paul Potter, and puts me next on how to write a play. 1908 K. McGaffey Show-girl 72 You had better drop in your penny and get next to yourselves. 1910 W. M. Raine B. O'Connor 225 Mrs. Mackenzie will put you next to the etiquette wrinkles where you are shy. 1910 Wodehouse Gentleman of Leisure vii. 66 Sure, he will... He'll be good. He's next to de game, sure. Ibid. x. 98 Boss, what's doin' here? Put me next to de game. 1913 E. C. Bentley Trent's Last Case vi. 59 ‘Has he any friends?’ interjected Trent. Mr. Bunner [an American] glanced at him sharply. ‘Somebody has been putting you next, I see that.’ 1936 J. Tully Bruiser iv. 41 She took me for a hundred before I got next. 1950 A. Lomax Mr. Jelly Roll 19 If you could shoot a good agate.., I'm telling you were liable to get next to that broad. 1957 R. Stout If Death ever Slept (1958) vi. 73 Maybe you can get a lead to it through Brigham. Get next to him. 1969 ‘H. Pentecost’ Girl Watcher's Funeral (1970) ii. iii. 114 He found out I was an actor... He told me he could put me next to some guy who was making underground films. 1973 Black World Sept. 4/2 If he can't get next to what we're about, we'll just have to school him. |
III. Governing a substantive (orig. in dative).
14. a. Nearest to (a thing, place, or person) in respect of situation.
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xxxix. §7 Swa swa sio nafu færð neahst þære eaxe. a 900 Cynewulf Crist 398 [Hy] þringað ᵹeorne hwylc hyra nehst mæᵹe ussum Nerᵹende flihte lacan. c 1205 Lay. 24168 Her ich þe ȝeue Neustrie nexste mine riche. a 1240 Sawles Warde in O.E. Hom. I. 247 Strengðe stont nest hire. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7871 Handes on ȝour felawes lay, On ilka Breton þat sittes ȝou nest. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xvii. 286 Innocence is nexte god and nyȝte and day it crieth. c 1480 Henryson Test. Cres. 109 His chalmer was thaim neist. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 275 To invade the Emperours countrie next them. 1591 Spenser Virg. Gnat 385 There next the vtmost brinck doth he abide. 1615 W. Lawson Country Housew. Gard. (1626) 5 Euery soile hath his crust next day wherein trees and hearbs put their roots. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 56 All of them..wear Drawers next their Skin. 1722 De Foe Plague (1754) 177 A mad Dog..will fly upon and bite any one that comes next him. 1764 Goldsm. Hist. Eng. in Lett. (1772) I. 23 All the trading and maritime towns next the continent. 1822 Lamb Elia Ser. i. Roast Pig, Tearing up whole handfuls of the scorched skin with the flesh next it. 1891 Law Times XC. 395/1 Placing wooden rails on the side next the glebe land and field stakes..on the side next the plaintiff's field. |
b. In phr. next one's hand, nearest at hand. next one's heart (see heart n. 4).
| a 1300 Cursor M. 62 He þat stitthest wenis at stand, Warre hym, his fall is nexst his hand. a 1774 Goldsm. Surv. Exp. Philos. (1776) I. 212 Suppose I take any thing that is next my hand, a walking cane for instance. |
15. a. Nearest to (a person or thing) in point of rank, condition, character, etc.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 9 Þe man mai be god next, þe him beð iqueme. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 3321 Þe erl aþ tueie men him next, briȝthoel & Iordan. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. ii. 202 Loue is leche of lyf and nexte oure lorde selue. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 5 Places ne orderis makun not vs nekist God, but oþer good meritis ioynun to gidir. 1572 Satir. Poems Reform. xxxviii. 20 Thy style was Treschristien, maist Cristen King, Baith hiest and friest, and neist the impyre. 1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 230 A vehement asseveration, which is next an oath. 1667 Milton P.L. i. 79 One next himself in power, and next in crime. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 1 ¶9 A degree of solicitude next that of an author. |
b. In loose apposition. = 12 c.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter cxxxii. 3 In thaim lightis the oynment of the halygaste, neste apostils. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxvii. (Machor) 461 For þu nixt god is my fadir. 14.. in Tundale's Vis. (1843) 123 Where neest thi son thou hast souerente. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 82 To y⊇ whiche next mekenes and obedyence..we must apply our exercyse. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 287 The thing that in this worlde I loue best, next my wyfe and children. a 1631 Donne Paradoxes (1652) 86 Avarice is the greatest deadly sin next Pride. |
B. adv.
† 1. Last, on the last occasion. Obs.
| a 900 Cynewulf Crist 535 To Hierusalem..þonan hy God nyhst upstiᵹende eaᵹum seᵹun. 971 Blickl. Hom. 125 Seo stow þe Drihten lichomlice nehst on stod her on middanᵹearde. a 1000 Cædmon's Gen. 536 (Gr.), Ic wat, hwæt he me self bebead..þa ic hine nehst ᵹeseah. c 1205 Lay. 5037 Nou hit is seoue ȝer at þou nexst wer her. |
2. a. In the next place; immediately thereupon or thereafter.
| α a 1300 Cursor M. 26138 To quam I sal þe tell here nexist [Fairf. nest] þou sal þe scriue. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 50 Bot next above alle othre schewe Of love I wol the propretes. c 1450 Holland Howlat 378 Next the souerane signe was sekirly sene..The armes of the Dowglass. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems lxxii. 41 Nixt all in purpour thai him cled. 1598 Shakes. Merry W. ii. ii. 263, I will first make bold with your money: next, giue mee your hand; and last [etc.]. 1649 Milton Eikon. 90 First by his..mistrust.., Next by his hatred. 1664 Butler Hud. ii. ii. 153 Did they not next compell the Nation To take and breake the Protestation? 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xxv, I next attended the sheriff's officers to the prison. 1828 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xi. I. 378 She next furnishes it with a store of pollen. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xi. 76 Our way next lay up a steep incline. 1871 Jowett Plato I. 146 Hippias the sage spoke next. |
| β a 1300 Cursor M. 27148 Sumquat es to sai her nest Þat falles to office o preist. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints l. (Catherine) 939 Syne þar neste I sall gere turment þe fulfaste. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 121 Thanne nest He hath ek foure upon his brest. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 58 Quhat hound..bait neist and baid quhill he wes slane. 1721 Ramsay Prospect of Plenty 103 A meaner phantom neist..Attacks with senseless fears the weaker head. 1728 ― Archers diverting themselves 95 Neist, Sir, you name. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxv, I wish we may get the light keepit in neist, wi' this fearsome wind. |
† b. With after or before. Obs.
| 1511 Guylforde's Pilgr. (Camden) 39 Next after we come to y⊇ hous of Symyonis. 1545 T. Raynalde Byrth Mankynde 69 Of ye same..strength with the other pylles spoken of here nexte before. 1562 Winȝet Third Tract. Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 29 Can ȝe think him in ony vther gre, bot nyxt efter to speir gif Christ be borne? |
3. On the first future or subsequent occasion.
| 1536 Cromwell in Merriman Life & Lett. (1902) II. 43 When it shal fortune me next to speke with your lordship. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 238 When he should nexte bee in dooyng sacrifice. 1667 Milton P.L. vi. 439 Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 60 A few other Alterations..are to be finished against we go down next. 1782 Cowper Gilpin 251 When he next doth ride abroad May I be there to see. 1875 Tennyson Q. Mary iii. v, When next there comes a missive from the Queen. |
4. Comb., as next-born, next-drawn.
| 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. i. 339 The Oracles gaue out, that next borne Brute should bee His parents onelie death. 1898 Meredith Odes Fr. Hist. 10 Such enemies of her next-drawn breath she had. |
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Add: [I.] [6.] d. Black English (chiefly W. Indies). With definite or indefinite art.: other (esp. designating the second of a pair of things). Freq. a next (...), another.
Prob. after African usage: see Holm & Shilling Dict. Bahamian Eng. 142.
| a 1944 E. Dupuch in Holm & Shilling Dict. Bahamian Eng. (1982) 142/1 A slice o' toast in one han' an' a cup o' cawfee in d'nex' han'. 1948 W. A. Bustamante in Proc. Conf. Closer Assoc. Brit. W. Indian Colonies (Colonial Office) 24 You have given us {pstlg}6,000,000 for building houses to supply two-thirds of the houses. We require a next one-third. 1957 in Cassidy & Le Page Dict. Jamaican Eng. (1967) s.v., I ave a nex brother name Carl..I use to go to a nex school. 1961 F. G. Cassidy Jamaica Talk vi. 125 The word next in standard English can be used after the but not after a... In Jamaica it has been generalised and is therefore used among the folk..to mean ‘other’; ‘'Im gwine buy a nex' one’—another one. 1982 D. Sutcliffe Brit. Black Eng. 188 (Gloss.), Nex', (can mean, as adjective) another, different. 1985 C. Phillips Final Passage 29 It's only one aunt I has in Sandy Bay, or maybe you hear of a next one. |