▪ I. nigh, adv., a., and n.
(naɪ)
Forms: α. 1 néah, (néaᵹ-), néh, 2 neoh, 3 næh; 2–4 neh, 3 nehȝ, 3–4 nehi; 3–5 neȝ, (3 neȝt, 4 neȝh, neeȝh), 4–5 neȝe, negh(e; 3 (5–6 Sc.) ne, 6 nee. β. 3–4 neih, (3 neiþ, 4 neich), nei, (4 neie), 3–5 neiȝ, (4 neiȝe), 4 neigh(e, 6 neight; 3 neyh, 4–6 ney(e, 4 neythe, 5 neyhe, neygh, neyȝt. γ. 4 niȝ, nieȝ, nyeȝ, nyh(e, 4–5 nyȝ(e, 4–6 nyghe, (4 nyȝghe, 6 nygghe), 4–7 nygh, (6 nyght); 4–6 nighe, 4– nigh; 4–6 ny(e, 6–7 nie.
[Common Teutonic: OE. néah, néh = OFris. nei, nî, MDu. na, nae (Du. na), OS. nâh (MLG. nâge, nâ), OHG. nâh adv., nâher adj. (MHG. nâ, nâh-, nâch, G. nah), ON. ná- (in combs. like ná-b{uacu}i neighbour; Sw. and Da. na-), Goth. nêhwa (nêhw): the stem appears to be unrepresented outside Teutonic.
OHG. is the only one of the older languages in which a fully developed adjectival use of the word exists along with the adverbial. In OE. there are very scanty traces of adjectival inflexion, néah being commonly employed either as a simple adv. or with a dependent dative: in predicative use it may sometimes be taken as an adjective, but it is more probable that in such cases also it is an adverb. It is not till the 14th or 15th cent. that the attributive use becomes common.
The original comparative of néah as an adv. is néar, néor, near adv.1, while the adj. form néarra finally became ner, nar a. The OE. superlative n{iacu}ęhst(a is latterly represented by next a. and adv. After phonetic changes had obscured the relationship of these forms to the positive, a new compar. and superl., nigher and nighest, were formed, and have been in common use since the 16th cent.]
= near adv.2 and a. (which in all senses has taken the place of nigh except in archaic or dialect use).
*Denoting proximity in place, time, etc.
I. adv. With dependent dative (passing into prep.), or followed by to (see 4).
1. With verbs of motion, denoting approach to a place, thing, or person.
| Beowulf 2290 He to forð ᵹestop dyrnan cræfte dracan heafde neah. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xv. 29 And mið ðy oferfoerde ðona ðe hælend, cuom [he] æt vel neh sæ. a 1000 Juliana 635 (Gr.), Ða wæs [heo] ᵹelæded londmearce neah. c 1205 Lay. 1609 Alle heo slowen þat heo neih comen. a 1300 Cursor M. 8041 Whenne þe kyng coom neȝe þo trees he kist hem. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 120 The more he cam the welle nyh The nerr cam sche to him ayein. 1517 R. Torkington Pilgr. 30 No Cristen man ys not suffered for to come ny it. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. ii. ii. 18 Neuer harme, nor spell, nor charme, Come our louely Lady nye. 1681 Dryden Abs. & Achit. 162 He..for a calm unfit, Would steer too nigh the Sands. 1777 Sheridan Trip Scarb. v. ii, I am almost ashamed to come nigh 'em. |
| fig. c 1320 Cast. Love 320 Hit eode hire herte swiþe neih. |
2. In prepositional use.
| Beowulf 2831 Se widfloᵹa wundum stille hreas on hrusan, hordærne neah. a 900 O.E. Martyrol. 22 Aug. 150 His lichoma is bebyrᵹed neah sancte Paules ciricean þæs apostoles. c 1075 O.E. Chron. (Parker MS.) an. 1031 An scip flotiᵹende swa neh þan lande swa hit nyxt mæᵹe. c 1275 Lay. 27553 He..smot than eorl Beduer a-forn neȝen þan breoste. 13.. Guy Warw. (A.) 1508 To him he smot swiþe smert þurch þe bodi ful ney þe hert. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. ix. 298 ‘By seynt paul’, quath peers þo, ‘thou poyntest neih þe treuthe’. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton) i. xix. (1859) 19 Long tyme he had hyd hym self neyhe me. 1470–85 Malory Arthur iv. xxvii. 156 She broughte hym there as was a turnement nyghe the marche of walys. 1610 Shakes. Temp. i. ii. 216 Pro. But was not this nye shore? Ar. Close by, my Master. 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 514 A Ship..Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind Veres oft. 1770 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 257 No gate shall be erected nigher Liverpoole than the four mile stone. 1826 J. F. Cooper Mohicans (1829) II. iii. 50 They had reached a bay, nigh the northern termination of the lake. |
b. In complementary use with verbs.
| c 825 Vesp. Psalter v. 6 Ne eardað neh ðe awerᵹed. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke ii. 9 Engel drihtnes s[t]od neh ðæm. a 1122 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1105 Þa þe þam eorle Willelme of Mortoin ahwær neah wunedon. a 1225 Ancr. R. 312 Holde we him neih us mid smelle of swete werkes. c 1320 Cast. Love 370 Ich hit seih And tolde hit to Riht þat stood me neih. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) V. 357 In his ȝowþe he was..bismer to kynges þat wonede nyh hym. c 1440 Gesta Rom. ii. 6 (Harl. MS.), Ofte tyme he vsid to ligge ny þe fire. |
3. In predicative use with the verb to be, or with ellipse of this: a. of locality.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xix. 11 Forðon [he] wære neh hierusalem. c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) lxxviii. 4 Eallum..ymbsittendum, þe us ahwær neah nu ða syndon. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 95 Hit forðnimeð swa hwet him neh bið. c 1200 Ormin 17918 He wass neh an casstelltun. c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 1/4 Alle þe heþene men þat neiȝ him were. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 197 He ferst loke out ate porte, That noman were nyh the stede. 1551 Crowley Pleas. & Pain 242 Such men as were nygh yon dwellynge. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. July 89 The hilles bene nigher heven. 1734 tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. xv. ix. (1827) VI. 147 The drops which were nighest the torches taking fire. |
b. In various transf. or fig. senses.
| c 825 Vesp. Psalter xxxiii. 19 Neh is dryhten ðissum ða ᵹeswencedre sind on heortan. c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) liv. 20 Hit wæs his heortan ᵹehyᵹde neah. a 1250 Owl & Night. 1252 Hwanne ic iseo þat sum wrechede Is manne neyh, inouh ic grede. c 1320 Sir Tristr. 3016 Sir canados was þan Constable, þe quen ful neiȝe. 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 423 Nevereþoles summe godes ben more nyghe God. c 1440 Gesta Rom. lxxi. 388 (Addit. MS.), W[h]ere this woman was seke, and ney childe byrth. 1605 Shakes. Macb. iv. ii. 72 To do worse to you were fell Cruelty, Which is too nie your person. 1875 Myers Poems 63 When man's heart is nighest heaven. |
c. Of time or events.
| a 900 Cynewulf Crist 782 Is þam dome neah. 971 Blickl. Hom. 95 Þonne..biþ neh þæm seofoþan dæᵹe. c 1275 O.E. Misc. 142/45 Þis world is neyh þan ende. a 1300 K. Horn 494 Horn tok his leue, For hit was neȝ eue. 13.. Sir Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1922 Þenne þay helden to home, for hit was nieȝ nyȝt. 1470–85 Malory Arthur iii. xiii. 116 He..leyd hym vnder the tree and slepte tyl it was nyghe nyght. |
4. With to or unto, in uses similar to above.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. John vi. 19 [Hia] ᵹeseað ðone hælend geongende..neh to scipp. a 1300 Christ on Cross 19 in E.E.P. (1862) 21 Man þou hast þe for-lor and ful neiþ to helle ibor. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 1654 Þe Frankysch þenne cast a cry, þerfore men drowe to þeym ney. 1391 Chaucer Boeth. iv. met. v. (1868) 132 Þe sterres of arctour ytourned neye to þe souereyne contre or point. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 885 Edgar rode ouȝt..In to a Forest neyȝt to his place. 1484 Caxton Fables of Alfonce i, [He] wente and lodged hym withynne a Temple nyghe to a Frendes hows. 1535 Coverdale John vi. 23 There came other shippes from Tiberias, nye vnto y⊇ place where they had eaten the bred. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xl. (1887) 224 The scholers..be bourded at their charges somewhere verie nigh to the schoole. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa v. 262 The citie of Tunis standing vpon a plaine hath no mountaines nigh vnto it. 1680 Morden Geog. Rect., France (1685) 163 Nigh to this place. 1704 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. II. 182 Being the neighest to their place of Abode. 1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers v, The arm that was extended bent, and brought the hand nigh to his face. |
| transf. or fig. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 785 They were good men, and true to the King and to nie to the Queene. 1611 Bible Lev. xxi. 3 His sister a virgin, that is nigh vnto him. 1826 J. F. Cooper Mohicans (1829) II. iii. 46 This change had brought them nigher to each other. 1896 Mrs. Caffyn Quaker Grandmother 183 We've crossed each other's paths these many years, for all..we haven't come very nigh to one another. |
II. adv. Used absolutely as complement or predicate (passing into adj.).
5. Of place or position: a. With the verb to be expressed or understood.
| c 897 K. ælfred Gregory's Past. C. li. 399 Her is an lytele burᵹ swiðe neah. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xiv. 42 Seðe mec selleð neh is. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. ix. 34 Heo hath browes bend an heh, Whyt bytuene, ant nout to neh. 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 668 Ful litel woot Arcite of his felawe, That was so ny. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione ii. viii. 48 Whan ihesu is nye, all godenes is nye. 1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. i. xxi, Thairby I vnderstude that scho was nie. 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. ii. i. 43 Heere comes your man, now is your husband nie. 1671 Milton P.R. i. 332 We sometimes..come forth To Town or Village nigh (nighest is far). 1821 Shelley Aziola i, Methinks she must be nigh. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. cxxx, Far off thou art, but ever nigh. |
b. With verbs of dwelling, standing, etc.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 189 Þe fleschliche lustes..beoð þe smeðere him to biswikende for þan þe þei nehȝie wunion. 1382 Wyclif Jas. v. 9 Lo! the iustise stondith nvȝ bifore the ȝat. 1513 Douglas æneis x. xiv. 5 Hys helm of steill besyde hym hang weil ne. 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 26 b, Doth not the Uine loue and embrace the Elme & prospereth the better, the nigher one is set by another? 1750 Gray Elegy 78 Some frail memorial still erected nigh. 1791 Cowper Iliad ix. 248 Then bespake Patroclus standing nigh. 1833 Tennyson To J. S. 33, I have not look'd upon you nigh, Since that dear soul hath fall'n asleep. |
c. With verbs of motion.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 203 He ne wist it ȝolden was, tille he com so nehi. 1470–85 Malory Arthur xii. i. 593 Come not to nyȝ for and thow doo..I will slee the. 1667 Milton P.L. v. 82 So saying, he drew nigh. 1772–84 Cook's Voy. (1790) V. 1618 They came so nigh, that we could discern, with our glasses, the deserters fastened together. 1825 J. Neal Bro. Jonathan I. 332 The..dog would not leave him; but crawled nigher. 1879 Browning Ivan Ivanovitch 92 What help, as nigher and nigher, The flames came furious? |
† d. With verbs of striking, wounding, etc.
| 1535 Coverdale Bible Prol., Euery one doth his best to be nyest the marke.., yet shuteth one nyer then another. 1590 Greene Palmer's Ode Wks. (Rtldg.) 295/1 [He] with a dart that wounded nigh Pierc'd my heart as I did lie. 1671 Milton P.R. iv. 489 Other harm Those terrors..did me none,..though noising loud And threatning nigh. |
e. Naut. Close to the wind. rare—1.
| a 1687 Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.) Cabin-Boy Wks. 1705 II. 101 Nay he could Sail a Yatcht both nigh and large. |
6. Of approaching or impending times or events.
| Beowulf 1743 Bið se slæp to fæst.., bona swiðe neah. c 825 Vesp. Hymns vii. 68 Forðon neh is deᵹ forlorenisse heara. 971 Blickl. Hom. 107 Maᵹon we..nu ᵹeseon..þæt þisses middanᵹeardes ende swiþe neah is. a 1300 Cursor M. 14908 He þe time seis command nei. 1382 Wyclif Joel ii. 1 For niȝ is the day of derknessis and myst. c 1400 Destr. Troy 7808 The night was so nighe, þat noyet hym sore. 1535 Coverdale Jas. v. 8 The commynge of the Lorde draweth nye. 1559 Mirr. Mag. (1563) 35 Than wo and wrack, disease, and nede be nyest. 1666 Dryden Ann. Mirab. cii, Till the fresh air proclaimed the morning nigh. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 45 Finding the Hour draw nigh, when it is lawful for them to drink and eat. 1866 Neale Sequences & Hymns 130 The hour is nigh—far nigher may it be Than yet I deem. |
7. Of relationship, friendship, or union. (Cf. 11.)
| 1382 Wyclif Ruth iii. 12 Ne I denye me to be nyȝ, but there is another nerre than Y. c 1449 Pecock Repr. ii. xx. 272 More or lasse aftir that thilk ioynyng..is more or lasse nyȝer or romber. a 1500 Geste R. Hood in Child Ballads III. 78/2 The pryoresse of Kyrkesly, That nye was of his kynne. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. 2 Cor. 51 b, [He] coumpteth hym nyghest of his kynne, whiche hath in his promisses moste affiaunce. 1628 Sir W. Mure Domesday 534 How more sublime the Object bee, The Union inward and more nie. |
8. In phrases: † a. of nigh, in nigh, or from nigh, close, near at hand. Obs.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 250 Derne nondunges, þet he scheoteð of feor, &..tentaciuns keoruinde of neih. 1382 Wyclif Esther ix. 20 The Jewis that in alle the prouyncis of the king dwelten, bothe in neeȝh set and afer. 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 578/12 Deprope, fro ny. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon iii. 101 Charlemagne followed theym well of nyghe. |
b. nigh at hand. (See hand n. 25.)
| a 1300 Cursor M. 15709 He es cumand negh at hand. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1948 Þere Nestor the noble Duke was negh at his hond. 1535 Coverdale 2 Esdras ii. 34 He is nye at hande, that shal come in the ende of the worlde. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. i. 7 To seeke some covert nigh at hand. 1671 Milton P.R. i. 20 The great Proclaimer..cri'd..Heavens Kingdom nigh at hand. 1790 Paley Horæ Paul. 271 He now regards the decision of his fate as nigh at hand. |
† c. nigh and far. (Cf. far adv. 1 b, and OE. ᵹe neah ᵹe feor.) Obs. rare.
| 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 208 By the eyghen know we..thynges neygh and ferre, meuynge and restynge. 1599 Davies Immort. Soul ii. (1742) 14 Mine Eyes, which view all Objects nigh and far. |
9. Comb. as nigh-adjoinant, nigh-coming, nigh-dwelling; nigh-dweller. Also † nigh-aimed, hit by close aiming.
| c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 97 Setyng, remuynge & neghcomyng, sterynge & rest. 1429 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 345/1 Nygh adjoynaunt to the Rever. 1553 N. Grimalde Cicero's Offices ii. (1558) 100 Letting nye dwellynges and partie boundes, to be just and gentle. 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 742 Now his bright armes assaying,..Now the nigh aymed ring away to beare. 1867 Musgrave Nooks & Corners Old France II. 145 These quarrymen..would prove more troublesome nigh-dwellers than they in fact are. |
III. adj. In attributive use.
10. Of places, persons, or things. (In later use chiefly in comparative and superlative.)
| c 900 tr. Bæda's Hist. iv. i. (Ca.), On þam neahᵹum mynstre [al. neahnunnmynstre]. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 5941 To ney neygheburs, & ferþer fro. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 175 Neyȝghe neiȝbores þat hadde riȝt to þese godes. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 299 The nyer Speyne to theis costes begynnethe from the hilles Pirene. 1540–1 Elyot Image Gov. (1556) 36 By the examinacion of theyr nighest neighbours. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. xii. 1 She heard a shrilling Trompet sound alowd, Signe of nigh battaill, or got victory. 1711 Fingall MSS. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 131 They had orders to remain at the nigher end of the four mile pass. 1798 Coleridge Frost at Midn. 69 The nigh thatch Smokes in the sun-thaw. 1827 J. F. Cooper Prairie I. i. 23 The distance from this place to the nighest point on the main river. 1868 Morris Earthly Par. I. 96 [He] seized the nighest ship. |
| fig. 1598 Bacon Medit., Hypocrites Ess. (Arb.) 117 Vnto this ordinance that other Hipocrisie is a nigh neyghbour. |
b. Of ways or roads. (See near a. 5.)
| 1516 Life St. Bridget in Myrr. our Ladye, etc. p. li, Thy doughter by the nyghest waye shall goo vnto the kyngdome of heuyn. 1547 Homilies i. Whoredom i. (1640) 80 Is there any nigher way to lead unto damnation? 1765 R. Rogers Jrnl. (1883) 136 The General..ordered me..to proceed across the Chestnut Plain the nighest and best way I could, to Lake Champlain. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxxii, The nigher and the safer road to Liege. |
† c. Of causes: Immediate, proximate. Obs.
| 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 44 Good heede ought to bee had,..that the nye causes and the farthest causes, be not taken al for one. 1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 49 The father is the nighest cause of the sonne. |
d. = near a. 3. Also Comb. as nigh-side.
| 1722 Lond. Gaz. No. 6063/4 A white Heel on the Nigh Leg behind. 1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers v, It was only pulling hard on the nigh rein, and touching the off flank of the leader. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 626 The nigh trace-chain of the nigh horse is hooked to the end..of the swing-tree. Ibid. II. 540 The nigh-side shaft being laid upon the side-rail. |
11. Of relatives or friends. (Cf. 7.)
| c 1205 Lay. 10260 Ne bi-læfde he her neouðer suster ne broðer, ne quene ne næh cun. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xii. 95 Kynde Witte is of his kyn and neighe cosynes bothe To owre lorde. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 155 The grownde scholde be taken to the nyeste of his bloode. 1470–85 Malory Arthur iii. xii. 114 This lady is my kynneswoman nygh. c 1538 in Archbold Somers. Rel. Houses (1892) 93 Doctor Tregonwell..hath obteigned the same for a nygh frende of his. 1650 Trapp Comm. Num. xviii. 22 Gods Kinsmen,..according to some translations, or his nigh-Ones. |
| absol. 1382 Wyclif Lev. xxi. 2 Oonly in cosyns, and nyȝ [L. propinquis], that is, vpon fader and moder. ― Prov. xxiii. 11 The neeȝh [L. propinquus]..of them is strong. |
** Denoting approximation in degree, amount, etc.
IV. adv.
12. Nearly, almost, all but.
| c 893 K. ælfred Oros. i. i. 17 Þa Finnas..& þa Beormas spræcon neah an ᵹeþeode. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 254 Heo hafað leaf neah swylce mistel. c 1200 Ormin 3206 Till þatt he waxenn wass, & neh Of þrittiȝ winnterr elde. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 1234 His moder wurð neȝ dead for friȝt. c 1290 St. Brendan 714 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 239 Þou schalt sone out of þis world, þi lijf is neiȝ at þende. 1340 Ayenb. 76 Huerof al þe wordle ys nyeȝ begyled. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 33 This ymage is nyh overthrowe. c 1440 Gesta Rom. xii. 40 (Harl. MS.), By chaunce I was ny dreynt in a water. 1470–85 Malory Arthur xi. viii. 582 Thenne the quene was nyghe oute of her wytte. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xviii. 25 They were nigh so feble that it shulde haue ben great peyne for them to haue goon any forther. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. iii. 13 Nigh dead with feare..Shee found them both. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 159 To whom sad Eve with shame nigh overwhelm'd,..thus abasht repli'd. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam x. xxxv, Kingly thrones, which rest on faith, nigh overturned. 1872 Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 769 The wood is nigh as full of thieves as leaves. |
b. With terms of quantity or number.
| c 1055 O.E. Chron. (MS. C.) an. 1055 Ða gaderade man fyrde ᵹeond eall Englaland swyðe neah. c 1200 Ormin 1892 Acc Marrch was þa Neh all gan ut til ende. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 833 Neȝ ilc burȝe hadde ise louereding. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 4025 Hit is ney vif ȝer þat we abbeþ yliued in such vice. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 147 He..made fre ny fifty þowsand men. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 249 Nye all that knew him fleyng away from hym. 1559 Mirr. Mag., Dk. Suffolk vii, I gave nie five times five assaultes. 1672 Sir P. Leycester Hist. Antiq. ii. i. iii, Ethelred..restored Caerleon,..and made it nigh such two as it was before. 1890 Bickley Surrey Hills i, Nigh ten mile a day. 1896 G. Chanter Witch i, Father he were huntsman..for nigh forty year. |
c. With nigh about (-but), on, † than, upon.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 33 Adam..ledde after him neih þan al his ofspreng. c 1205 Lay. 22340 Þa Irisce men weoren nakede neh þan. 1632 Lithgow Trav. iv. 149 Nigh about the same time it is obserued that Boniface the third begun his Empire. 1829 Landor Imag. Conv., Chaucer, etc. Wks. 1853 I. 405/1 Early on the second morning he was nigh upon twenty miles from home. 1854 Dickens Hard T. i. xi, I were one-and-twenty myseln; she were twenty nigh⁓but. 1870 Verney Lettice Lisle x, I'm nighabouts twice eighteen. 1887 Baring-Gould Gaverocks III. xlii. 10 It nigh on broke your dear mother's heart. |
d. With negatives or as. (Cf. near adv.2 6, 8.)
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xviii. §1 Eall moncynn & ealle netenu ne notiᵹað nawer neah feorðan dæles þisse eorðan. a 1000 Boeth. Metr. xxx. 10 Ne mæᵹ hio þeah ᵹescinan..ahwærᵹen neah ealla ᵹesceafta. 1559 Morwyng Evonym. 141 They attain un-to a certain incorruption as nye as may be. 1567 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. iii. 154 [To] make an estymate as neight as they can, what the Charges of the doyng thereof will amount vnto. 1691 Norris Pract. Disc. 1 The thorough Fool is not nigh so great a Prodigy as the Half-wise Man. |
† 13. Nearly, closely. (Denoting that little or nothing is left.) Obs.
| c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 590 His berd was schave as neigh as ever he can. c 1399 ― Purse 19 For I am shave as nye as is a frere. 1496 Fysshynge w. Angle (1883) 15 Kytte of the lynys ende & the threde as nyghe as ye maye. 1563 Homilies ii. Rogation Week iv. (1640) 237 Charging the owners not to gather up their corne too nigh at harvest season..but to leave behind some eares. 1587 L. Mascall Govt. Cattle, Oxen (1627) 98 To heale the kibes, ye shall cut them forth as nie as ye can. |
14. Near or close (to), in respect of attainment, resemblance, † likelihood, etc. † nothing nigh, nothing like.
| c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 339 Men þat..ben full nyȝ to synne aȝeyne han no penaunce of her synne. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems lxxxviii. 52 No Lord of Parys, Venyce, or Floraunce In dignytie or honoure goeth to hym nye. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus s.v. A, To be in case verie nie to be a banished man. 1666 Bunyan Grace Abound. §154 This [sin] came nighest to mine of any that I could find. 1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 119 We answered them that the Water was smoother without, and nothing nigh the Sea that runs within. 1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & B. II. x. 225 Her sarcasms and self-will..go nigh to confirm it. 1889 Theo. Gift Not for the Night-time 45 [He] struck down and went nigh to murder the man. |
15. As adj. Close, near; parsimonious.
| 1555 W. Watreman Fardle of Facions App. 325 There cometh not so greate profite to the owners by the nighe gatheryng. 1856 P. Thompson Hist. Boston 716 Nye, near, stingy, mean. 1866 J. E. Brogden Prov. Words Linc. s.v. Nye, Although holding a good position in the county he is a nye man. |
† b. Coming near in amount. Obs. rare—1.
| 1557 Recorde Whetst. D ij b, Thei will helpe you to gesse at the nigheste rootes of nombers that be not square. |
16. Comb., as nigh-destroyed, nigh-drowned, nigh-ebbed, nigh-naked, nigh-spent.
| 1598 F. Rous Thule O 2 b, O cease (quoth they) to make an ouerflow Ouer the bounds of our ny-drowned mindes. 1649 Ogilby tr. Virg. Georg. ii. (1684) 91 Nigh-destroyed Realms. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 638 The nigh-spent hour-glass of time. 1864 Tennyson En. Ard. 677 On the nigh-naked tree the Robin piped. 1868 Morris Earthly Par. (1870) I. i. 125 The nigh-ebbed windless sea In the still evening murmured ceaselessly. |
▪ II. nigh, v. Now rare.
(naɪ)
Forms: α. 3 neh(h)ȝhenn, nehyen, neȝȝen, 3–5 nehe(n, neghe(n, 4 neghȝe, neȝhe, newhe, 4–5 neȝe; Sc. 5 nech(t, 6 nee. β. 3–4 neihen, 3–5 neiȝe(n, 4 neiȝhe, neiye, 4–5 (7, 9) neigh(e; 3–5 neye, (4 nay-), 4–5 neyhe, (5 -hhe), neyȝe, (4 -ȝþe), neyghe, 5 Sc. neych. γ. 4 niȝe, 4–5 nyhe, 5 nyȝhe, nyegh, 4–6 nyghe, 5 Sc. nycht, nicht, 5–6 Sc. nich, 4–7 nye, 4– nigh.
[f. nigh adv. Cf. MDu. nahen (rare), OS. nâhian, OHG. nâhên (MHG. nâhen, nân, G. nahen, nahn), ON. ná (Sw. nå, Da. naa), Goth. nêhwjan.]
1. trans. To go, come, or draw near to (a person, place, etc.); to approach closely. (Common c 1300–1500.)
| c 1200 Ormin 8077 Swa he stannc þat iwhillc mann Wass himm full laþ to nehhȝhenn. c 1220 Bestiary 147 Ðe neddre..If he naked man se, ne wile he him noȝt neȝȝen. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 3294 Als þey ryfled landes ay whore, Rome þey neighed ay þe more. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xvii. 58 Feith..nolde nouȝt neighen hym by nyne londes lengthe. 1451 Rolls of Parlt. V. 216/2 If eny of the said persones be compelled..to nygh youre persone. 1530 Palsgr. 644/1 Or it be nyght we shall nyghe the towne. 15.. Christ's Kirk 15 Thay wer sa nyss quhen men thame nicht, Thay squelit lyke ony gaitis. 1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes iv. xxii. 274 Not Perseus horse..Flies like to this (if any dangers nigh him). 1766 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 190/1 Jumping upon deck, and crying out ‘She nighs us! she nighs us! she is standing this way!’ 1806 J. Grahame Birds of Scot. 80 Now she nighs the carnage-freighted keel. 1817 Scott Harold iv. ix, Sooner than Walwayn my sick couch should nigh, My choice were, by leach-craft unaided to die. |
† b. To approach so as to touch or handle. Obs.
| c 1200 Ormin 4491 Þatt tu nan oþerr manness wif Ne ȝeorne nohht to nehȝhenn Wiþþ unnclænnessess fule lusst. a 1225 Ancr. R. 134 He is þe achate þet atter of sunne ne neihede neuere. a 1300 Cursor M. 2422 Þat moght naman o licherie Hir body neght wit wilanie. Ibid. 10877 Womman þat neuer neghed man. c 1420 Avow. Arth. liv, Lye downe preuely hur by, Butte neghe noȝte thou that lady. c 1440 Anc. Cookery in Househ. Ord. (1790) 433 Take a faire urthen pot, and lay hit well with splentes in the bothum, that the flessh neigh hit not. 15.. Adam Bell iii. 258 But Cloudesle clefte the apple in twaine, His sonne he did not nee. 1674 Ray N.C. Words 34 To nigh a thing, to touch it. I did not nigh it: i.e. I came not nigh it. |
† c. To take or accept. Obs. rare—1.
| 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1836 He nay[ed] þat he nolde neghe in no wyse Nauþer golde ne garysoun. |
† d. To touch or concern (one) closely. Obs. rare.
| c 1450 Holland Howlat 276 Sen it nechit Natur..Thai couth nocht trete but entent of the Temperale. c 1489 Caxton Blanchardyn 135 The proude pucell..reioysched her self.., by cause that this nyghed her at herte. |
2. it nighs: † a. It draws near or close to (a certain time). Obs.
The it appears orig. to be in apposition to the noun.
| c 1200 Vices & Virtues 121 Nimeð scrifte of ȝewer sennes, hit neihedð heuene riche. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. xxviii. 84 Me thynketh hit neȝyth domesday. c 1350 Will. Palerne 2599 Whan it neiȝet niȝt, þei nold no lenger a-bide. c 1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 6989 Whan he saw it nighed night, Oute of the forest he went a right. |
b. It draws to or towards a time. † Also with at.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 14913 Fast it neghes to þe nede For his to suffur passion. 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 929 Hit was neȝ at þe niyȝt neȝed þe tyme. c 1400 Destr. Troy 672 Hit neght to þe night & the none past. c 1425 Seven Sag. (P.) 331 Hit neght fast toward nyght. 1821 Blackw. Mag. X. 124 When it nigh'd to Christmas-tide, I cut the holly's glorious bough. |
3. intr. To draw or come near toward or to a person, place, etc.
| c 1200 Ormin 12794 Loc, here nehȝheþþ towarrd me..An soþ Issraelisshe mann. a 1300 Cursor M. 11846 Moght nan for stinck negh til his bedd. a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxxi. 8 Til him þai sall noght neghe. c 1400 Mandeville (1839) v. 40 But it is fulle longe sithe that ony Man durste neyhe to the Tour. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione ii. xii. 56 Þan all þe seruauntes of þe crosse..shul nye vnto crist þe Juge wiþ gret trust. 1496 Dives & Pauper (W. de W.) x. ii. 373/1 Ryght as theyr bodye by age nygheth to the erth. a 1821 Keats Hyperion ii. 103 The laden heart Is persecuted more..When it is nighing to a mournful house. |
| transf. a 1300 Cursor M. 9977 [She] neghed neuer to wik dede, Bot euer sco liued in maiden-hede. |
† b. To pierce to, to light on, the skin. Obs. rare.
| a 1400–50 Alexander 4182 And quare it neȝes on þe nakid it noyis for euire. c 1400 Destr. Troy 6403 He shot þrough the shild & the shene maile..; Hit neghit to þe nakid. |
4. To go, come, or draw near; to approach.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 1009 Paradis is a..land..þar neuer neghes nede ne night. 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 132 An oþer noyse ful newe neȝed biliue. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 101 No man durste neyhe, but he were purified and i-made all clene. c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode i. xxv. (1869) 16 Þan is a welle closed þer neuere oon dar neighe ne aproche. 1551 Crowley Pleas. & Payne 425 Your wycked soule shall neuer nye, But lyue in payne for euermore. 1630 J. Lane Contn. Sqr.'s T. (Chaucer Soc.) 140 Looke how fast, at first, the Rebells nyed, so fast and faster now they rann to hide. 1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems 71 The first battle nighed on the low Southern side. |
b. Of time or events, etc.
| c 1275 O.E. Misc. 142/42 Þis world is neyh þan ende; Þe deþ neyeþ blyue. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. B. 1754 Nyȝt neȝed ryȝt now with nyes fol mony. 1382 Wyclif Matt. iii. 2 Do ȝe penaunce, for the kyngdom of heuens shal neiȝ. 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 175 Many dayes Passyd, the terme neyghed, and he came not. c 1460 Launfal 829 The certayn day was nyghyng. 1515 Scottish Field 198 in Chetham Misc. (1856) Then nighed the night that byde must they nedes. 1595 Spenser Epithal. 298 Now day is doen, and night is nighing fast. |
† 5. Followed by nigh adv. or prep. Obs. (Common c 1300–1450.)
| a 1300 Cursor M. 21062 Iohn..sei his ending dai him neghand nei [Edinb. neiȝand neich]. c 1350 Will. Palerne 1606 Whan þemperour of grece neiyed neiȝh rome. c 1400 Destr. Troy 4863 Þai wete not..Þat we be neghit so negh. 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 302 Whan hyr tym neyhyd ny, That ys to seyn whan she shuld deye. |
† b. Similarly with near adv. and prep. Obs. (Very common c 1375–1450.)
| a 1300 Cursor M. 5239 Quen iacob neghed egypte nere. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xlix. (Thecla) 218 Syne come a lyone fel & fere & to sla tecle nichit nere. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. i. xiii. 1160 Thare is nane dar necht it nere. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4395 It neghid nere þe tyme of none. 1530 Hickscorner 209 A knave catchpoll nyghed us nere. |
Hence ˈnighing vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1388 Wyclif Judith xvi. 10 marg., Bi this thing Judith schulde haue homeli neiȝing to him. 1434 Rolls of Parlt. V. 435/2 The neghing and dayly prees of the Werre therby to your gode Toune. c 1449 Pecock Repr. ii. viii. 182 A comoun place to which peple may haue her deuout neiȝing and accesse. 1596 Lodge Marg. Amer. 15 Midst thy pompe thy nying grave remember. 1818 Keats in Life & Lett. (1848) I. 236, I look with hope to the nighing time when I shall have none. |