[cf. anew, afar.]
A. adv.
1. Nearly, well-nigh, almost, to a nearness.
1608. Shaks., Per., III. Introd. 51. The lady shrieks, & well a-near Does fall in travail with her fear.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 241. They know anear in what parts they [water-fowl] most usually frequent.
1850. Mrs. Browning, Poems, II. 10. Your wisdom may declare That womanhood is proved the best By golden brooch … Yet is it proved, and was of old, Anear as well … By truth, or by despair.
2. Near, as opposed to afar.
1798. Coleridge, Anc. Mar., V. v. And soon I heard a roaring wind, It did not come anear.
1805. Scott, Last Minstrel, V. xxxi. Now seems it far, and now a-near.
1870. Morris, Earth. Par., I. I. 283. And timidly the women drew anear.
B. prep. Near, near to.
a. 1732. Atterbury, Lett., l. (T.). To fright the clergy … from coming anear me.
1850. Blackie, Æschylus, I. 117. While anear thee Pours this sorrow-stricken maid The pure libation.
1879. Long, Æneid, IX. 889. Anear some river’s bank.
