[mod. f. NIGH; app. intended as archaic by assoc. with down, adown, far, afar, etc. Cf. near, anear.]
A. adv. Nigh, near.
1868. Morris, Earth. Par., I. Prol. 33. Ah, what a meeting as she drew a-nigh. Ibid. (1870), III. IV. 404. He came anigher to the sun.
1869. Mrs. Whitney, Hitherto, xxxviii. 420. Worthy to dwell anigh.
B. prep. Nigh, near to.
1773. Gentl. Mag., XLIII. 399. So changd!I hate to go a-nigh the place.
1860. Reade, Cloister & H., IV. 173. They must not come anigh a dying bed.
1870. Morris, Earth. Par., I. II. 532. No dart was cast, nor any engine bent Anigh him.