nearest


Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

near

 (nîr)
adv. near·er, near·est
1. To, at, or within a short distance or interval in space or time: moved the table nearer to the wall; as graduation draws near.
2. Just about; almost; nearly: was near exhausted from the climb.
3. With or in a close relationship: It turns out we are near related.
adj. nearer, nearest
1. Close in time, space, position, or degree: near neighbors; near equals.
2. Closely related by kinship or association; intimate: a near relative; a near and dear friend. See Synonyms at close.
3.
a. Nearly occurring but not actually happening: a near victory; a near disaster.
b. Just barely avoided: a near hit by the incendiary bomb.
4.
a. Closely corresponding to or resembling an original: a near likeness.
b. Closely resembling the genuine article: a dress of near satin; near silver beads.
5.
a. Closer of two or more: Take the near street and then turn right.
b. Being on the left side of an animal or vehicle.
c. Being the animal or vehicle on the left.
6. Short and direct: the nearest route to town.
7. Archaic Stingy; parsimonious.
prep.
Close to: an inn near London.
v. neared, near·ing, nears
v.tr.
To come close or closer to: The plane neared the terminal.
v.intr.
To draw near or nearer; approach: as the holiday nears.

[Middle English ner, from Old English nēar, from comparative of nēah, close, near.]

near′ness n.
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.1.nearest - (superlative of `near' or `close') within the shortest distance; "that was the time he came nearest to death"
superlative - an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics lavished superlatives on it"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
References in classic literature ?
Distribution of fresh-water productions -- On the inhabitants of oceanic islands -- Absence of Batrachians and of terrestrial Mammals -- On the relation of the inhabitants of islands to those of the nearest mainland -- On colonisation from the nearest source with subsequent modification -- Summary of the last and present chapters.
One of them offered to run to the nearest doctor; another asked if he should fetch the police.
above all, For the resurrection of deep-buried faith In Truth -- in Virtue -- in Humanity -- Of all who, on Despair's unhallowed bed Lying down to die, have suddenly arisen At thy soft-murmured words, "Let there be light!" At the soft-murmured words that were fulfilled In the seraphic glancing of thine eyes -- Of all who owe thee most -- whose gratitude Nearest resembles worship -- oh, remember The truest -- the most fervently devoted, And think that these weak lines are written by him -- By him who, as he pens them, thrills to think His spirit is communing with an angel's.
The Herd-boy was very much delighted over his stroke of good fortune, and, hiding the magic loaf in his bag, he hurried off to the nearest village to buy himself something to eat, and then returned to his sheep.
The nearest tree lay several yards to his left--the lion could be upon him before he had covered half the distance, and that the beast intended to charge none could doubt who looked upon him now.
Our guide, in front of us, answers that it will end in the ponies finding their way certainly to the nearest village or the nearest house.
Much in the same manner ought that oligarchy to be established which is next in order: but as to that which is most opposite to a pure democracy, and approaches nearest to a dynasty and a tyranny, as it is of all others the worst, so it requires the greatest care and caution to preserve it: for as bodies of sound and healthy constitutions and ships which are well manned and well found for sailing can bear many injuries without perishing, while a diseased body or a leaky ship with an indifferent crew cannot support the [1321a] least shock; so the worst-established governments want most looking after.
Stripped of their lighter timbers, both vessels have been used for the construction of huts, erected on the nearest land.
Well, among other things she told me that, whereas you are not a kinsman of mine, that she is my nearest relative; that you have no right whatever to enter into family relations with us; and that it is wrong and shameful for me to be living upon your earnings and charity.
"We'll leave it here, where it will be safe enough, and tramp on to the nearest Indian village.
The usual hurried, feverish toil in the claim was suspended; the pick and shovel were left sticking in the richest "pay gravel;" the toiling millionaires themselves, ragged, dirty, and perspiring, lay panting under the nearest shade, where the pipes went out listlessly, and conversation sank to monosyllables.
TOWARD three o'clock in the afternoon Captain Wragge stopped at the nearest station to Ossory which the railway passed in its course through Essex.