near: [12] Historically, near is a comparative form, and its ancestor originally meant ‘nearer’. It was borrowed from Old Norse náer, the comparative of ná- ‘near’, which came from the same prehistoric Germanic source as produced English nigh [OE] and next (not to mention German nah ‘near’). By the time it reached English it had lost its comparative force, and simply meant ‘close’ (which is also the sense of its modern Scandinavian descendants, Swedish n?ra and Danish n?r). => neighbour, next, nigh
near (adv.)
Old English near "closer, nearer," comparative of neah, neh"nigh." Influenced by Old Norse naer "near," it came to be used as a positive form mid-13c., and new comparative nearer developed 1500s (see nigh). As an adjective from c. 1300. Originally an adverb but now supplanted in most such senses by nearly; it has in turn supplanted correct nigh as an adjective. Related: Nearness. In near and dear (1620s) it refers to nearness of kinship. Near East first attested 1891, in Kipling. Near beer "low-alcoholic brew" is from 1908.
near (v.)
"to draw near," 1510s, from near (adv.). Related: Neared; nearing.
例文
1. She is not herself.She came near to a breakdown.
彼女は体調を崩しそうになった。
2.Southbound traffic tailed back for twenty miles on the M 5 near Bristol.
ブリストル近くの5番高速道路では、南行の車両が20マイルも続く長蛇の列になっていた。
3.He awoke to find Charlie standing near the bed.
彼は目を覚まし、チャーリーがベッドのそばに立っていることに気づいた。
4.As we drew near ，I saw that the boot lid was up.
私たちが近づいてきたとき、車のトランクのふたが反っているのを見た。
5.The General does not like non-combatant personnel near a scene of action.