nigh

(nī)

adv. nigh·er, nigh·est

1. Near in time, place, or relationship: Evening draws nigh.

2. Nearly; almost: It is nigh impossible to get tickets now.

adj. nigher, nighest

1. Being near in time, place, or relationship; close: sick and nigh to death.

a. Being on the left side of an animal or vehicle: pulling hard on the nigh rein.

b. Being the animal or vehicle on the left: the nigh horse.

prep.

Not far from; near.

[Middle English neigh, from Old English nēah, nēh.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adv.

nighest - (superlative of `near' or `close') within the shortest distance; "that was the time he came nearest to death"

closest, nearest

superlative - an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics lavished superlatives on it"

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References in classic literature

Disdainfully doth the buffalo glance thereat, nigh to the sand with its soul, nigher still to the thicket, nighest, however, to the swamp.

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I saw and heard, for we sometimes Who dwell this wild, constrained by want, come forth To town or village nigh (nighest is far), Where aught we hear, and curious are to hear, What happens new; fame also finds us out." To whom the Son of God:--"Who brought me hither Will bring me hence; no other guide I seek." "By miracle he may," replied the swain; "What other way I see not; for we here Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inured More than the camel, and to drink go far-- Men to much misery and hardship born.

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What may a man call the distance, from this place to the nighest point on the main river?"

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