Also spelled a-near
prep
adv
verb
Meanings
-
1
prep
chiefly dialectal: near or close to
The rider refused to go anear the abandoned house after dark.
-
2
adv
archaic: near, close, or nearly
The startled horse came anear to throwing its rider.
-
3
verb
archaic: to approach or come near to
The vessel aneared the harbor as the fog began to lift.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Formed from a- + near. The verb and adverb are archaic; the preposition survives chiefly in dialectal use.