Nigh (?), a. [Compar.
Nigher (?); superl. Nighest, or
Next (?).] [OE. nigh, neigh, neih, AS.
neÁh, n?h; akin to D. na, adv., OS.
nāh, a., OHG. nāh, G. nah, a.,
nach to, after, Icel. nā (in comp.) nigh, Goth.
n?hw, n?hwa, adv., nigh. Cf. Near,
Neighbor, Next.] 1. Not distant or
remote in place or time; near.
The loud tumult shows the battle
nigh.
Prior.
2. Not remote in degree, kindred,
circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate. "Nigh
kinsmen." Knolles.
Ye . . . are made nigh by the blood of
Christ.
Eph. ii. 13.
Syn. -- Near; close; adjacent; contiguous; present;
neighboring.
Nigh, v. t. & i. To draw nigh
(to); to approach; to come near. [Obs.] Wyclif (Matt. iii.
2).
Nigh, adv. [AS. neÁh,
n?h. See Nigh, a.]
1. In a situation near in place or time, or in
the course of events; near.
He was sick, nigh unto death.
Phil. ii. 27.
He drew not nigh unheard; the angel bright,
Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turned.
Milton.
2. Almost; nearly; as, he was nigh
dead.
Nigh, prep. Near to; not remote or
distant from. "was not this nigh shore?"
Shak.