nearest, nighest, closest
(adverb) (superlative of ‘near’ or ‘close’) within the shortest distance; “that was the time he came nearest to death”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
nighest
(archaic) superlative form of nigh: most nigh
• Thesing, sighten, signeth, singeth, thinges
Source: Wiktionary
Nigh, a. [Compar. Nigher; superl. Nighest, or Next (.] Etym: [OE. nigh, neigh, neih, AS. neáh, n; akin to D. na, adv., OS. nah, a., OHG. nah, G. nah, a., nach to, after, Icel. na (in comp.) nigh, Goth. n, n, 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, adv. Etym: [AS. neáh, n. 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, v. t. & i.
Definition: To draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near. [Obs.] Wyclif (Matt. iii. 2).
Nigh, prep.
Definition: Near to; not remote or distant from. "was not this nigh shore" Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
4 May 2025
(adjective) (of something seen or heard) clearly defined; “a sharp photographic image”; “the sharp crack of a twig”; “the crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot”
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
