nearlyadv.adj.

Brit.

/ˈnɪəli/, U.S.

/ˈnɪrli/

Forms: see near adj. and -ly suffix²; also 1500s nearelar (comparative).

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: near adj., -ly suffix².

Etymology: < near adj. + -ly suffix². Compare earlier nighly adv.

A. adv.

a. With close inspection or scrutiny; carefully, narrowly. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adverb] > with scrupulous care or attention to detail

narrowlyeOE

narrowOE

wellOE

busilyc1225

inwardly?c1225

closely1509

nearly1540

near1560

searchingly1574

nicely1597

exactly1612

strictly1632

close1642

pressly1642

scrutinously1650

minutely1690

scrupulously1712

tightly1758

keenly1824

slippery1828

meticulously1961

1540 R. Morison tr. J. L. Vives Introd. Wysedome (new ed.) sig. Bvj If a man woll more nerelyer behold this thinge.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies ii. xi. 106 Whoso woulde neerely consider the causes and generall reasons before mentioned.

1669 in S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. sig. a4^v If you neerly mark him, and his End.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 155. ⁋4 If its operation be nearly examined.

1797 E. Burke Third Let. toMember Present Parl. 95 Inspect the thing more nearly.

1825 W. Scott Talisman iii, in Tales Crusaders IV. 43 His liveries, his cognizances, his feats of arms..were nearly watched.

1959 M. Renault Charioteer (new ed.) v. 107 Each sensed in the other a certain reservation; each was grateful not to be questioned too nearly.

†b. With close attention or great care. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

?a1560 in T. Wright Songs & Ballads Reign Philip & Mary (1860) 4 He shall..the fyne flowr from the bran nerly syfft.

1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xl. 332 Narrowly, precisely, and nearly garbelled.

†c. Parsimoniously; frugally. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [adverb]

narrowlya1250

feeblyc1290

scarcely1340

straitly1340

strait1390

niggardly?1529

nighly1548

pinchingly1561

close-fisted1575

hard1580

niggishly1580

nearly1591

mincingly1593

costively1598

penuriously1616

neara1625

scantingly1627

parsimoniouslya1634

scrapingly1680

stingily1682

scrimply1690

sneakingly1695

churlishly1875

curmudgeonly1879

skinflintily1899

mingily1958

1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 6^v Hauing some twenty Markes in his purse long gathered and nearely kept.

1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 396 They had rather live nearly than take much pains.

2. In a special degree or manner; particularly. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [adverb]

hurec893

sunderlyeOE

highlyOE

namelya1200

sunderlepesa1200

sunderlepea1225

specialc1230

specially1340

serelya1375

principallyc1390

especially?a1400

rathestc1400

singularlyc1430

selfly1503

singular1530

enspecial1534

inespecially1557

nearly1560

peculiarly1561

inespecial1569

especial1591

speciouslya1616

nominately1641

chief1645

perpendicularly1658

1560 J. Heywood Fourth Hundred Epygrams iii. sig. Aiv^v Spyde in a freende it toucheth him neerely.

1585 Queen Elizabeth I Let. Jan.–Feb. in J. Bruce Lett. Queen Elizabeth & James VI (1849) 12 You wel perceaue that nothing may nearelar touche me than this cause.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 275 It is not a little I haue to say, Of what most neerely appertaines to vs both.

1642 King Charles I Answer XIX. Propos. Parl. 24 Those Treaties in which We are neerlyest concerned.

1729 J. Swift Let. to Pope 31 Oct. This..I only mention, because it so nearly touches myself.

1788 J. Priestley Ess. Educ. in Lect. Hist. p. xxxi Every man is nearly interested in the conduct of his superiors.

1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) i. 5 A piece of news which nearly concerned the interests of our village.

1865 Q. Rev. 117 280 It is a question that imports us nearly.

1986 J. Wain Dear Shadows 175 But I did not expect that his death would affect me very nearly.

3. With a close connection or relation, esp. through blood or friendship; in close intimacy.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > [adverb] > closely

nighOE

near and dear?c1450

near1491

nearly1561

1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 11 Vs, whom it pleased him more nereli and more familiarly to draw together to himself.

1646 J. Mayne Serm. Unity 27 The most united, happyest, neerliest allyed people in the world.

1689 W. Popple tr. J. Locke Let. conc. Toleration 21 Which things are nearlier related to the Government of the Magistrate than the other.

1753 S. Johnson Adventurer No. 84. ⁋2 To be nearly acquainted with the people of different countries can happen to very few.

1784 S. Johnson Let. 29 Nov. (1994) IV. 443 It will be an act of great kindness to me, he being very nearly related to me.

1845 R. C. Trench Fitness Holy Script. i. 1 Discourses, which should more or less nearly have to do with the..vindicating that Truth.

1874 W. B. Carpenter Princ. Mental Physiol. (1879) i. iv. 167 A lady nearly connected with the writer.

a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) I. ii. 25 The two classes of centipedes and millipedes, which used to be grouped together as Myriapods, are, in fact, not nearly related to one another.

1984 S. James Content Social Explan. 95 He has in mind a variety of factors, some more nearly connected than others.

a. At, within, or from, a short distance; in close proximity; closely in respect of place or position. Also in extended use, occasionally with reference to causality. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > distance > nearness > [adverb] > nearly or closely

nighlyOE

nighc1387

throng?a1425

justc1440

narrowly1487

foot-hot1513

meeta1522

hardly1554

fastlings1568

nearly1569

neara1592

close1596

closely1634

nicely1690

narrow1697

snugly1800

snug1831

tight1888

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 98 They pursuyng the French men, in their flight did so nerely folow them into their holde [etc.].

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 174^v And neyghbour like theyr houses nearely stand.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. ii. 68 I doubt some danger do's approach you neerely .

1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 49 The former doth more neerely, or immediately cause the effect.

1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 39 The Sea,..a Soveraigne..bulwarke to that Nation that is neerliest situated unto it.

1709 F. Atterbury Serm. Sons of Clergy in Serm. & Discourses (1766) II. 280 They are diligent to observe whatever may nearly or remotely blemish it.

1777 H. L. Thrale Diary Sept.–Nov. in Thraliana (1942) I. 165 Every man said he there, feeds from the Earth nearly—that's immediately, or remotely, the Englishman eats the Ox which eat the Grass; The Frenchman eats the Grass himself I see, and leaves none for the Cattle.

1783 J. Hoole tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso I. vi. 417 When now more nearly to the walls he drew,..He left the plain and beaten path.

1827 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War II. 769 Three days elapsed before the invaders again approached the works of the allies so nearly.

1853 C. C. Felton Familiar Lett. (1865) x. 95 I was well pleased with such an opportunity of seeing him more nearly.

1913 G. R. Bullock-Webster Churchman's Prayer Man. 31 O most merciful Redeemer,..May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, And follow Thee more nearly.

†b. Closely, tightly. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > [adverb] > tightly or closely

narroweOE

straitc1200

straitly1338

sore1377

short1533

nearly1587

strictly1641

snug1674

chock1768

snugly1800

1587 R. Hovenden in C. R. L. Fletcher Collectanea (1885) I. 221 Expences..which pinch us very neerlye.

1627 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia (1631) ix. 129 Neerely hugging woe She feedes on teares.

5. With a close degree of agreement or similarity.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > closely (of resemblance)

nigha1382

neara1398

nearly1594

expressly1642

closely1682

close1833

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > closeness to accuracy > [adverb]

much1560

nearly1594

muchwhat1619

nigh about1632

closely1682

roughly1768

close1833

approximatively1835

proximately1839

in the rough1841

approximately1845

along1852

nearbouta1857

in a sort of (sorta) way1868

in the (right) ballpark1945

grosso modo1952

1594 O. B. Questions Profitable Concernings 7 That which shall neereliest agree with that I said before.

1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 343 Making a new difference between two neerely resembling brothers.

1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 31 [He] is..best pleased with those that neerliest resemble him.

1739 D. Hume Treat. Human Nature II. iii. 313 There cannot be two passions more nearly resembling each other, than those of hunting and philosophy.

1826 J. F. Cooper Last of Mohicans II. vii. 127 An emotion which very nearly resembled fear.

1863 C. Lyell Geol. Evid. Antiq. Man 10 The age of iron corresponded more nearly with that of the beech tree.

1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues I. 175 The Euthydemus is..that in which he approaches most nearly to the comic poet.

1949 G. Wilson Knight Wheel of Fire xii. 256 Antony and Cleopatra, a play..which is most nearly comparable of all past plays to..Julius Caesar.

1993 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 13 Jan. 47/1 The ASU and the American Youth Congress (AYC)..more nearly resembled mass organizations.

a. With close approximation or near approach (to some state or condition, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > almost or nearly

nigheOE

well-nigheOE

forneanc1000

well-nearc1175

almostc1261

nighwhatc1300

nearhandc1350

nigh handa1375

nigh handsa1375

as good asc1390

into (right) littlea1413

unto litea1420

nigh byc1430

nearbyc1485

near handsa1500

as near as1517

mosta1538

next door1542

wellmost1548

all but1590

anewst1590

uneath1590

next to1611

nearlya1616

thereaboutsa1616

welly1615

thereabout1664

within (an) ames-ace ofa1670

anear1675

pretty much1682

three parts1711

newsta1728

only not1779

partly1781

in all but name1824

just about1836

nentes1854

near1855

nar1859

just1860

not-quite1870

nearabouta1878

effectively1884

nigh on1887

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. ii. 96 As neerely as I may, Ile play the penitent to you.

a1631 J. Donne Ess. Divinity (1651) 95 God, which cannot be known by his own Name, may nearlyest by the names and prosperity of his.

1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. vii. 96 Glubbdubdrib, as nearly as I can interpret the Word, signifies the Island of Sorcerers or Magicians.

1791 T. Paine Rights of Man i. 124 The words and the purport, as nearly as I remember, were these.

1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. i. 4 To live more nearly as we pray.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xvi. 718 As nearly prime minister as any English subject could be under a prince of William's character.

1902 B. T. Washington Up from Slavery i. 1 As nearly as I have been able to learn, I was born near a cross-roads post-office called Hale's Ford.

1974 J. B. Morton Beachcomber 250 Mud had given place to water under the so-called bow, and the good ship was as nearly afloat as possible.

1982 J. Campbell Grammatical Man ii. x. 113 These codes insure the transmission of messages as nearly perfect and free from error as the coder cares to make them.

b. Almost, all but, virtually.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > approximate quantity or amount > [adverb] > nearly (of amount)

well-nigheOE

nighOE

well-nearc1175

almostc1261

nighwhatc1300

nara1400

neara1400

anighsta1425

muchwhata1513

wellmost1548

most1629

nighly1694

nearly1769

partly1781

mostly1805

most1808

mostlings1816

about1827

nearabouts1834

fairly1840

welly1859

approaching1951

1683 W. Salmon Doron Medicum i. 92 Made neerly stiff enough.

1683 W. Salmon Doron Medicum i. 107 Till the Water is neerly consumed.

1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 4. ⁋2 This kind of writing..is to be conducted nearly by the rules of comic poetry.

1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 297 Nearly nine Years had now elapsed, since the Earl and his Lady had seen or heared of their Harry.

1800 J. Foster Let. 15 Jan. in Life & Corr. J. Foster (1846) I. 125 Years nearly lost to my own happiness.

1823 F. Clissold Narr. Ascent Mont Blanc 21 It was nearly six o'clock.

1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 52 I..was very nearly making a blunder.

1913 J. Conrad Chance i. 21 I am speaking of the now nearly vanished sea-life under sail.

1938 R. Narayan Dark Room viii. 132 I should have been nearly there now but for you.

1989 Austin (Texas) Amer.-Statesman 29 Apr. a11/1 Police are investigating nearly 300 reports since April 7 of contaminated baby food.

c. In negative contexts with not: (not) anything like, (not) by a long way.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > [adverb] > not nearly or far from being

near1447

nowhere near (also nigh)c1449

nothing less?1520

nothing near1581

nothing nigh1743

nearly1745

1745 B. Franklin Old Mistresses Apologue 25 June in Papers (1961) III. 30 A single Man has not nearly the Value he would have in that State of Union [sc. marriage].

1791 H. More Estimate Relig. Fashionable World 16 Philosophy..will not do nearly so much mischief to the present age, as its great apostles intended.

1811 S. T. Coleridge in R. Southey Life Andrew Bell (1844) II. 646 I have not received nearly one-half of the subscriptions.

1884 M. Mackenzie Man. Dis. Throat & Nose II. 261 I do not employ irrigation nearly so frequently as formerly.

1918 M. C. Stopes Married Love v. 50 In many cases the man's climax comes so swiftly that the woman's reactions are not nearly ready.

1983 M. S. Power Hunt for Autumn Clowns 21 We would have had to wrap your sandwich in plain brown paper and that wouldn't have been nearly as nice, would it?

B. adj.

Approaching, impending, virtual; cf. almost adj..

ΚΠ

1936 R. Lehmann Weather in Streets 214 The pub looked all right in the nearly-dark.

1975 R. Geesin Fallables 72 The cymbal is indestructible, except by nearly-silence which skulks in a corner unable to really move or communicate with other potential nearly-silences.

1985 Eng. Today Jan. 14/1 Puerto Rico is Latin American, but it is also a nearly-state of the Union.

1993 S. James Love over Gold 218 The kiss—the nearly-kiss—last night had changed things.

Compounds

nearly man n. colloquial a man who narrowly fails to achieve success, or who repeatedly fails to win contests by a narrow margin (esp. in Sport or Politics).

ΚΠ

1974 P. Eckersley (title of television script) The nearly man.

1985 Daily Tel. 26 Sept. 17/1 A knighthood earlier this year is probably the seal on the career of a politician described aptly by one of his friends last night as ‘a nearly man’.

1995 FourFourTwo Sept. 39/1 The classic nearly man who was left out in the cold at Glasgow Rangers before being completely frozen out at Upton Park.

2000 Sunday Times 23 July (Sports section) 4/2 As if his reputation as golf's perennial nearly-man had not been strengthened enough by the Masters and US Open, he has also managed to finish second at the Mercedes championship.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	nearly
释义	nearlyadv.adj. Brit. /ˈnɪəli/, U.S. /ˈnɪrli/ Forms: see near adj. and -ly suffix²; also 1500s nearelar (comparative). Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: near adj., -ly suffix². Etymology: < near adj. + -ly suffix². Compare earlier nighly adv. A. adv. 1. a. With close inspection or scrutiny; carefully, narrowly. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adverb] > with scrupulous care or attention to detail narrowlyeOE narrowOE wellOE busilyc1225 inwardly?c1225 closely1509 nearly1540 near1560 searchingly1574 nicely1597 exactly1612 strictly1632 close1642 pressly1642 scrutinously1650 minutely1690 scrupulously1712 tightly1758 keenly1824 slippery1828 meticulously1961 1540 R. Morison tr. J. L. Vives Introd. Wysedome (new ed.) sig. Bvj If a man woll more nerelyer behold this thinge. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies ii. xi. 106 Whoso woulde neerely consider the causes and generall reasons before mentioned. 1669 in S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. sig. a4^v If you neerly mark him, and his End. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 155. ⁋4 If its operation be nearly examined. 1797 E. Burke Third Let. toMember Present Parl. 95 Inspect the thing more nearly. 1825 W. Scott Talisman iii, in Tales Crusaders IV. 43 His liveries, his cognizances, his feats of arms..were nearly watched. 1959 M. Renault Charioteer (new ed.) v. 107 Each sensed in the other a certain reservation; each was grateful not to be questioned too nearly. †b. With close attention or great care. Obsolete. ΚΠ ?a1560 in T. Wright Songs & Ballads Reign Philip & Mary (1860) 4 He shall..the fyne flowr from the bran nerly syfft. 1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xl. 332 Narrowly, precisely, and nearly garbelled. †c. Parsimoniously; frugally. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [adverb] narrowlya1250 feeblyc1290 scarcely1340 straitly1340 strait1390 niggardly?1529 nighly1548 pinchingly1561 close-fisted1575 hard1580 niggishly1580 nearly1591 mincingly1593 costively1598 penuriously1616 neara1625 scantingly1627 parsimoniouslya1634 scrapingly1680 stingily1682 scrimply1690 sneakingly1695 churlishly1875 curmudgeonly1879 skinflintily1899 mingily1958 1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 6^v Hauing some twenty Markes in his purse long gathered and nearely kept. 1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 396 They had rather live nearly than take much pains. 2. In a special degree or manner; particularly. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [adverb] hurec893 sunderlyeOE highlyOE namelya1200 sunderlepesa1200 sunderlepea1225 specialc1230 specially1340 specially1340 serelya1375 principallyc1390 especially?a1400 rathestc1400 singularlyc1430 selfly1503 singular1530 enspecial1534 inespecially1557 nearly1560 peculiarly1561 inespecial1569 especial1591 speciouslya1616 nominately1641 chief1645 perpendicularly1658 1560 J. Heywood Fourth Hundred Epygrams iii. sig. Aiv^v Spyde in a freende it toucheth him neerely. 1585 Queen Elizabeth I Let. Jan.–Feb. in J. Bruce Lett. Queen Elizabeth & James VI (1849) 12 You wel perceaue that nothing may nearelar touche me than this cause. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 275 It is not a little I haue to say, Of what most neerely appertaines to vs both. View more context for this quotation 1642 King Charles I Answer XIX. Propos. Parl. 24 Those Treaties in which We are neerlyest concerned. 1729 J. Swift Let. to Pope 31 Oct. This..I only mention, because it so nearly touches myself. 1788 J. Priestley Ess. Educ. in Lect. Hist. p. xxxi Every man is nearly interested in the conduct of his superiors. 1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) i. 5 A piece of news which nearly concerned the interests of our village. 1865 Q. Rev. 117 280 It is a question that imports us nearly. 1986 J. Wain Dear Shadows 175 But I did not expect that his death would affect me very nearly. 3. With a close connection or relation, esp. through blood or friendship; in close intimacy. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > [adverb] > closely nighOE near and dear?c1450 near1491 nearly1561 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 11 Vs, whom it pleased him more nereli and more familiarly to draw together to himself. 1646 J. Mayne Serm. Unity 27 The most united, happyest, neerliest allyed people in the world. 1689 W. Popple tr. J. Locke Let. conc. Toleration 21 Which things are nearlier related to the Government of the Magistrate than the other. 1753 S. Johnson Adventurer No. 84. ⁋2 To be nearly acquainted with the people of different countries can happen to very few. 1784 S. Johnson Let. 29 Nov. (1994) IV. 443 It will be an act of great kindness to me, he being very nearly related to me. 1845 R. C. Trench Fitness Holy Script. i. 1 Discourses, which should more or less nearly have to do with the..vindicating that Truth. 1874 W. B. Carpenter Princ. Mental Physiol. (1879) i. iv. 167 A lady nearly connected with the writer. a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) I. ii. 25 The two classes of centipedes and millipedes, which used to be grouped together as Myriapods, are, in fact, not nearly related to one another. 1984 S. James Content Social Explan. 95 He has in mind a variety of factors, some more nearly connected than others. 4. a. At, within, or from, a short distance; in close proximity; closely in respect of place or position. Also in extended use, occasionally with reference to causality. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > distance > nearness > [adverb] > nearly or closely nighlyOE nighc1387 throng?a1425 justc1440 narrowly1487 foot-hot1513 meeta1522 hardly1554 fastlings1568 nearly1569 neara1592 close1596 closely1634 nicely1690 narrow1697 snugly1800 snug1831 tight1888 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 98 They pursuyng the French men, in their flight did so nerely folow them into their holde [etc.]. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 174^v And neyghbour like theyr houses nearely stand. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. ii. 68 I doubt some danger do's approach you neerely . View more context for this quotation 1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 49 The former doth more neerely, or immediately cause the effect. 1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 39 The Sea,..a Soveraigne..bulwarke to that Nation that is neerliest situated unto it. 1709 F. Atterbury Serm. Sons of Clergy in Serm. & Discourses (1766) II. 280 They are diligent to observe whatever may nearly or remotely blemish it. 1777 H. L. Thrale Diary Sept.–Nov. in Thraliana (1942) I. 165 Every man said he there, feeds from the Earth nearly—that's immediately, or remotely, the Englishman eats the Ox which eat the Grass; The Frenchman eats the Grass himself I see, and leaves none for the Cattle. 1783 J. Hoole tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso I. vi. 417 When now more nearly to the walls he drew,..He left the plain and beaten path. 1827 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War II. 769 Three days elapsed before the invaders again approached the works of the allies so nearly. 1853 C. C. Felton Familiar Lett. (1865) x. 95 I was well pleased with such an opportunity of seeing him more nearly. 1913 G. R. Bullock-Webster Churchman's Prayer Man. 31 O most merciful Redeemer,..May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, And follow Thee more nearly. †b. Closely, tightly. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > [adverb] > tightly or closely narroweOE straitc1200 straitly1338 sore1377 short1533 nearly1587 strictly1641 snug1674 chock1768 snugly1800 1587 R. Hovenden in C. R. L. Fletcher Collectanea (1885) I. 221 Expences..which pinch us very neerlye. 1627 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia (1631) ix. 129 Neerely hugging woe She feedes on teares. 5. With a close degree of agreement or similarity. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > closely (of resemblance) nigha1382 neara1398 nearly1594 expressly1642 closely1682 close1833 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > closeness to accuracy > [adverb] much1560 nearly1594 muchwhat1619 nigh about1632 closely1682 roughly1768 close1833 approximatively1835 proximately1839 in the rough1841 approximately1845 along1852 nearbouta1857 in a sort of (sorta) way1868 in the (right) ballpark1945 grosso modo1952 1594 O. B. Questions Profitable Concernings 7 That which shall neereliest agree with that I said before. 1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 343 Making a new difference between two neerely resembling brothers. 1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 31 [He] is..best pleased with those that neerliest resemble him. 1739 D. Hume Treat. Human Nature II. iii. 313 There cannot be two passions more nearly resembling each other, than those of hunting and philosophy. 1826 J. F. Cooper Last of Mohicans II. vii. 127 An emotion which very nearly resembled fear. 1863 C. Lyell Geol. Evid. Antiq. Man 10 The age of iron corresponded more nearly with that of the beech tree. 1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues I. 175 The Euthydemus is..that in which he approaches most nearly to the comic poet. 1949 G. Wilson Knight Wheel of Fire xii. 256 Antony and Cleopatra, a play..which is most nearly comparable of all past plays to..Julius Caesar. 1993 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 13 Jan. 47/1 The ASU and the American Youth Congress (AYC)..more nearly resembled mass organizations. 6. a. With close approximation or near approach (to some state or condition, etc.). ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > almost or nearly nigheOE well-nigheOE forneanc1000 well-nearc1175 almostc1261 nighwhatc1300 nearhandc1350 nigh handa1375 nigh handsa1375 as good asc1390 into (right) littlea1413 unto litea1420 nigh byc1430 nearbyc1485 near handsa1500 as near as1517 mosta1538 next door1542 wellmost1548 all but1590 anewst1590 uneath1590 next to1611 nearlya1616 thereaboutsa1616 welly1615 thereabout1664 within (an) ames-ace ofa1670 anear1675 pretty much1682 three parts1711 newsta1728 only not1779 partly1781 in all but name1824 just about1836 nentes1854 near1855 nar1859 just1860 not-quite1870 nearabouta1878 effectively1884 nigh on1887 a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. ii. 96 As neerely as I may, Ile play the penitent to you. View more context for this quotation a1631 J. Donne Ess. Divinity (1651) 95 God, which cannot be known by his own Name, may nearlyest by the names and prosperity of his. 1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. vii. 96 Glubbdubdrib, as nearly as I can interpret the Word, signifies the Island of Sorcerers or Magicians. 1791 T. Paine Rights of Man i. 124 The words and the purport, as nearly as I remember, were these. 1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. i. 4 To live more nearly as we pray. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xvi. 718 As nearly prime minister as any English subject could be under a prince of William's character. 1902 B. T. Washington Up from Slavery i. 1 As nearly as I have been able to learn, I was born near a cross-roads post-office called Hale's Ford. 1974 J. B. Morton Beachcomber 250 Mud had given place to water under the so-called bow, and the good ship was as nearly afloat as possible. 1982 J. Campbell Grammatical Man ii. x. 113 These codes insure the transmission of messages as nearly perfect and free from error as the coder cares to make them. b. Almost, all but, virtually. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > approximate quantity or amount > [adverb] > nearly (of amount) well-nigheOE nighOE well-nearc1175 almostc1261 nighwhatc1300 nara1400 neara1400 anighsta1425 muchwhata1513 wellmost1548 most1629 nighly1694 nearly1769 partly1781 mostly1805 most1808 mostlings1816 about1827 nearabouts1834 fairly1840 welly1859 approaching1951 1683 W. Salmon Doron Medicum i. 92 Made neerly stiff enough. 1683 W. Salmon Doron Medicum i. 107 Till the Water is neerly consumed. 1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 4. ⁋2 This kind of writing..is to be conducted nearly by the rules of comic poetry. 1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 297 Nearly nine Years had now elapsed, since the Earl and his Lady had seen or heared of their Harry. 1800 J. Foster Let. 15 Jan. in Life & Corr. J. Foster (1846) I. 125 Years nearly lost to my own happiness. 1823 F. Clissold Narr. Ascent Mont Blanc 21 It was nearly six o'clock. 1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 52 I..was very nearly making a blunder. 1913 J. Conrad Chance i. 21 I am speaking of the now nearly vanished sea-life under sail. 1938 R. Narayan Dark Room viii. 132 I should have been nearly there now but for you. 1989 Austin (Texas) Amer.-Statesman 29 Apr. a11/1 Police are investigating nearly 300 reports since April 7 of contaminated baby food. c. In negative contexts with not: (not) anything like, (not) by a long way. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > [adverb] > not nearly or far from being near1447 nowhere near (also nigh)c1449 nothing less?1520 nothing near1581 nothing nigh1743 nearly1745 1745 B. Franklin Old Mistresses Apologue 25 June in Papers (1961) III. 30 A single Man has not nearly the Value he would have in that State of Union [sc. marriage]. 1791 H. More Estimate Relig. Fashionable World 16 Philosophy..will not do nearly so much mischief to the present age, as its great apostles intended. 1811 S. T. Coleridge in R. Southey Life Andrew Bell (1844) II. 646 I have not received nearly one-half of the subscriptions. 1884 M. Mackenzie Man. Dis. Throat & Nose II. 261 I do not employ irrigation nearly so frequently as formerly. 1918 M. C. Stopes Married Love v. 50 In many cases the man's climax comes so swiftly that the woman's reactions are not nearly ready. 1983 M. S. Power Hunt for Autumn Clowns 21 We would have had to wrap your sandwich in plain brown paper and that wouldn't have been nearly as nice, would it? B. adj. Approaching, impending, virtual; cf. almost adj.. ΚΠ 1936 R. Lehmann Weather in Streets 214 The pub looked all right in the nearly-dark. 1975 R. Geesin Fallables 72 The cymbal is indestructible, except by nearly-silence which skulks in a corner unable to really move or communicate with other potential nearly-silences. 1985 Eng. Today Jan. 14/1 Puerto Rico is Latin American, but it is also a nearly-state of the Union. 1993 S. James Love over Gold 218 The kiss—the nearly-kiss—last night had changed things. Compounds nearly man n. colloquial a man who narrowly fails to achieve success, or who repeatedly fails to win contests by a narrow margin (esp. in Sport or Politics). ΚΠ 1974 P. Eckersley (title of television script) The nearly man. 1985 Daily Tel. 26 Sept. 17/1 A knighthood earlier this year is probably the seal on the career of a politician described aptly by one of his friends last night as ‘a nearly man’. 1995 FourFourTwo Sept. 39/1 The classic nearly man who was left out in the cold at Glasgow Rangers before being completely frozen out at Upton Park. 2000 Sunday Times 23 July (Sports section) 4/2 As if his reputation as golf's perennial nearly-man had not been strengthened enough by the Masters and US Open, he has also managed to finish second at the Mercedes championship. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adv.adj.1540
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