near: [12] Historically, near is a comparative form, and its ancestor originally meant ‘nearer’. It was borrowed from Old Norse náer, the comparative of ná- ‘near’, which came from the same prehistoric Germanic source as produced English nigh [OE] and next (not to mention German nah ‘near’). By the time it reached English it had lost its comparative force, and simply meant ‘close’ (which is also the sense of its modern Scandinavian descendants, Swedish nära and Danish nær). => neighbour, next, nigh
near (adv.)
Old English near "closer, nearer," comparative of neah, neh"nigh." Influenced by Old Norse naer "near," it came to be used as a positive form mid-13c., and new comparative nearer developed 1500s (see nigh). As an adjective from c. 1300. Originally an adverb but now supplanted in most such senses by nearly; it has in turn supplanted correct nigh as an adjective. Related: Nearness. In near and dear (1620s) it refers to nearness of kinship. Near East first attested 1891, in Kipling. Near beer "low-alcoholic brew" is from 1908.
near (v.)
"to draw near," 1510s, from near (adv.). Related: Neared; nearing.
雙語例句
1. She is not herself. She came near to a breakdown.
她身體不舒服，簡直要崩潰了。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Southbound traffic tailed back for twenty miles on the M5 near Bristol.
在布裏斯托爾附近的5號高速公路上，南行的車輛排成了綿延20英裏的長龍。
來自柯林斯例句
3. He awoke to find Charlie standing near the bed.
他醒了過來，發現查利正站在床邊。
來自柯林斯例句
4. As we drew near, I saw that the boot lid was up.
我們靠近時,我看見汽車行李箱的蓋子翹了起來.
來自柯林斯例句
5. The General does not like non-combatant personnel near a scene of action.