Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
NEARLY
about, almost, most, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh
(adverb) (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but; “the job is (just) about done”; “the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded”; “we’re almost finished”; “the car all but ran her down”; “he nearly fainted”; “talked for nigh onto 2 hours”; “the recording is well-nigh perfect”; “virtually all the parties signed the contract”; “I was near exhausted by the run”; “most everyone agrees”
closely, intimately, nearly
(adverb) in a close manner; “the two phenomena are intimately connected”; “the person most nearly concerned”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
nearly (comparative nearlier or more nearly, superlative nearliest or most nearly)
(now, rare) With great scrutiny; carefully. [from 16th c.]
With close relation; intimately. [from 16th c.]
Closely, in close proximity. [from 16th c.]
Not very, almost. [from 17th c.]
Stingily.
Synonyms
• almost, nigh, well-nigh, near, close to, next to, practically, virtually
Anagrams
• Raelyn, Rylean, lanyer
Source: Wiktionary
Near"ly, adv.
Definition: In a near manner; not remotely; closely; intimately; almost.
NEAR
Near, adv. Etym: [AS. neár, compar. of neáh nigh. See Nigh.]
1. At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh. My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me. Milton.
2. Nearly; almost; well-nigh. "Near twenty years ago." Shak. "Near a fortnight ago." Addison. Near about the yearly value of the land. Locke.
3. Closely; intimately. Shak. 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.] Etym: [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.
2. Closely connected or related. She is thy father's near kinswoman. Lev. xviii. 12.
3. Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near friend.
4. Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling; as, a version near to the original.
5. So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow; as, a near escape.
6. Next to the driver, when he is on foot; in the Unted States, on the left of an animal or a team; as, the near ox; the near leg. See Off side, under Off, a.
7. Immediate; direct; close; short. "The nearest way." Milton.
8. Close-fisted; parsimonious. [Obs. or Low, Eng.]
Note: Near may properly be followed by to before the thing approached'; but more frequently to is omitted, and the adjective or the adverb is regarded as a preposition. The same is also true of the word nigh.
Syn.
– Nigh; close; adjacent; proximate; contiguous; present; ready; intimate; dear.
Near, prep.
Definition: Adjacent to; close by; not far from; nigh; as, the ship sailed near the land. See the Note under near, a.
Near, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Neared; p. pr. & vb. n Nearing.] Etym: [See Near, adv.]
Definition: To approach; to come nearer; as, the ship neared the land.
Near, v. i.
Definition: To draw near; to approach. A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist! And still it neared, and neared. Coleridge.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
27 April 2024
GREAT
(adjective) remarkable or out of the ordinary in degree or magnitude or effect; “a great crisis”; “had a great stake in the outcome”
Coffee Trivia
