(a) Near in space or time; nearby, close; of a horse or part of a horse: left (as opposed to right or off); of help or salvation: not far off, coming soon; also fig.; ~ abouten (biside, therbi), nearby, close, in that vicinity; time is ~, the time is soon to come, the time is imminent; (b) fer and ~, ~ and fer, far and near; from far away and nearby; everywhere; fer or (ne) ~, other fer other ~, far apart or near; in any place, anywhere; (c) closely related by kinship; also, closely related by friendship or loyalty, familiar [quot.: ?c1450]; ~ kin, ~ kinnes-man, ~ sibbe; (d) near in nature, quality, or relationship; also, spiritually akin; ~ cause, the immediate cause; ~ difference, a slight difference; ~ remedie, a ready and suitable remedy; ~ rune, a close call, narrow escape; ~ of, privy to, intimate with; nerrer than other, preferred over others, given first choice over others; never the nerrer, no closer to one's possession; (e) as quasiprep.: near in space or time to (sb. or sth.); also, near in nature, quality, or relationship to (sb.), akin to (sb.); (f) ?in surnames.