Far and near, at a distance and close by; throughout a whole region. --
To come near to, to want but little of; to approximate to. "Such a sum
he found would go near to ruin him." Addison.
-- Near the wind (Naut.), close to the wind; closehauled.
Near (?), a. [Compar. Nearer (?); superl. Nearest.] [See Near, adv.] 1.
Not far distant in time, place, or degree; not remote; close at hand;
adjacent; neighboring; nigh. "As one near death." Shak.
He served great Hector, and was ever near, Not with his trumpet
only, but his spear.
Dryden.