nigh

 
Pronunciation: /nʌɪ/

adverb , preposition , & adjective

  • 1 archaic or literary near: [as adjective]: the end is nigh [as adverb]: they drew nigh unto the city
  • 2almost: [as adverb]: a car weighing nigh on two tons

Origin:

Old English nēh, nēah, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch na, German nah. Compare with near