nigh

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Near, close by.

   The end is nigh!

2. 2
   adj

   Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate.

   Ye […] are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

3. 3
   verb

   to draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near

   When the charnel-eyed Pale Horse has nighed

4. 4
   adv

   Almost, nearly.

   So, after a spell, he decided to make the best of it and shoved us into the front parlor.[…]It looked like a tomb and smelt pretty nigh as musty and dead-and-gone.

5. 5
   prep

   near; close to

   When the Moon is horned […] is it not ever nigh the Sun?

6. 6
   adj

   being on the left side

7. 7
   adv

   (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished

8. 8
   adv

   near in time or place or relationship

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂neḱ- Proto-Germanic *nēhwazder. Proto-Germanic *nēhw Proto-West Germanic *nāhw Old English nēah Middle English neygh English nigh Inherited from Middle English neygh, from Old English nēah, from Proto-West Germanic *nāhw, from Proto-Germanic *nēhw, from *nēhwaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂neḱ- (“to reach”).