Nigh
Pronunciation
- IPA: /naɪ/
- Rhymes: -aɪ
Origin
Old English nēah, nēh, from Proto-Germanic *nēhw.
Full definition of nigh
Adjective
nigh
- (archaic, poetic) near, close byThe end is nigh!
- a. 1831 Ludovico Ariosto, (translator), , 2006, Echo Library, most+nigh%22&hl=en&ei=NPZyTo6_MMjcmAWyxozzDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=%22more|most%20nigh%22&f=false page 185,He at his head took aim who stood most nigh;
- 1831, John Knox, The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland, most+nigh%22&hl=en&ei=wfxyTpk6h_OYBfiFkc8M&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22more|most%20nigh%22&f=false page 421,By these and many histories more, it is most evident, that the more nigh salvation and deliverance approach, the more vehement is temptation and trouble.
- 1834, Davy Crockett, A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, nighest%22&hl=en&ei=7PhyToaeFc_0mAXnpszZDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=%22nigher|nighest%22&f=false page 197,The enemy, somewhat imboldened, draws nigher to the fort.
- 1889, House of Commons of Canada, Debates: Official Report, Volume 2, nighest%22&dq=%22nigher|nighest%22&hl=en&ei=YftyTuqlLJHjmAWF1LzcDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAzgo page 1408,You then went to St. Andrews, the nighest ocean port.
- Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate.
- Knollesnigh kinsmen
- Bible, Eph. ii. 13Ye ... are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Usage notes
Nigh is an older form of near. Near was originally the comparative form of nigh; the superlative form was next. Nigh is used today mostly in archaic, poetic, or regional contexts.
Verb
Adverb
nigh
- Almost, nearly.Achieving the summit in a single day is, well, nigh impossible.
- 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, Mr. Pratt's Patients Chapter 12, 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.
Usage notes
Nigh is sometimes used as a combining form.