nigh
Pronunciation: (nī), [key]
— adv., adj., prep., v. nigh•er, nigh•est,
—adv.
- near in space, time, or relation: The time draws nigh.
- nearly; almost; (often fol. by on or onto): nigh onto twenty years.
—adj.
- near; approaching: Evening is nigh.
- short or direct: to take the nighest route.
- (of an animal or vehicle) being on the left side: to be astride the nigh horse.
- parsimonious; stingy.
—prep.
- near.
—v.i., v.t.
- to approach.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.