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.
实用例句
1. She is not herself. She came near to a breakdown.
她身体不舒服，简直要崩溃了。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Southbound traffic tailed back for twenty miles on the M5 near Bristol.
在布里斯托尔附近的5号高速公路上，南行的车辆排成了绵延20英里的长龙。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He awoke to find Charlie standing near the bed.
他醒了过来，发现查利正站在床边。
来自柯林斯例句
4. As we drew near, I saw that the boot lid was up.
我们靠近时,我看见汽车行李箱的盖子翘了起来.
来自柯林斯例句
5. The General does not like non-combatant personnel near a scene of action.
