Near (nēr), adv. [AS. neár, compar. of neáh nigh. See Nigh.] 1. At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.
My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me. Milton.
2. Nearly; almost; well-nigh. “Near twenty years ago.” Shak. “Near a fortnight ago.” Addison.
Near about the yearly value of the land. Locke.
3. Closely; intimately. Shak.
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.