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nearly

adv
/ˈnɪəli/UK/ˈnɪːlɪj//ˈnɪɹli/CA

Etymology

From near + -ly. Cognate with Scots nerelie, neirlie (“nearly”). Compare also English nearling, nearlings.

  1. derived from *h₂neḱ-✻ — “to reach”
  2. derived from *nēhwiz✻ — “nearer”
  3. derived from nær — “near”
  4. inherited from nēar — “nearer”
  5. inherited from nere
  6. formed as nearly — “near + -ly”

Definitions

  1. In close approximation

    In close approximation; almost, virtually.

    • He left a nearly full beer on the bar.
    • I nearly didn't go to work yesterday.
    • He was (so/very) nearly over the worst part of his college degree.

  2. With great scrutiny

    With great scrutiny; carefully.

  3. With close relation

    With close relation; intimately.

    • Let that which he learns next be nearly conjoined with what he knows already.
    • She could have joined most comfortably in all their supposings, and suspicions, and doubts, and prognostications, but the honour of the family was too nearly concerned to allow free reins to her tongue.
    • [H]e was also accounted a man of wealth, and was nearly related to a high chief.
  4. ›+ 2 more definitions

    1. Closely, in close proximity.

      • I doubt some danger do's approach you neerely.

    2. Stingily.

The neighborhood

Derived

nearliness, nearly-dead, nearly fall off one's chair, nearly man, nearlyness, nearly never bulled a cow, nearly never won the race, nearlywed

Vish — recursive loop

A definitional loop anchored at nearly. Each word in the ring is defined by the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself. Scroll to it and watch.

01nearly02relation03relationship04links05situated06rooted07habitual08recurring09round10rounding

A definitional loop anchored at nearly. Each word in the ring appears in the definition of the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself.

10 hops · closes at nearly

curated · pre-corpus. live cycle detection across the full graph is the next major milestone.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA