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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Near the wind

Near \Near\ (n[=e]r), adv. [AS. ne['a]r, compar. of ne['a]h 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.