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Nigh vs Nig - What's the difference?

nigh | nig |

As an adjective nigh

is (archaic|poetic) near, close by.

As a verb nigh

is to draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near.

As an adverb nigh

is almost, nearly.

As a preposition nigh

is near; close to.

As a noun nig is

(offensive|racial slur) nigger.

nigh

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • (archaic, poetic) near, close by
    • The end is nigh !
  • * , 2006, Echo Library, page 185,
    • He at his head took aim who stood most nigh ;
  • * 1831 , , The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland , page 421,
    • By these and many histories more, it is most evident, that the more nigh salvation and deliverance approach, the more vehement is temptation and trouble.
  • * 1834 , , A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett , page 197,
    • The enemy, somewhat imboldened, draws nigher to the fort.
  • * 1889 , , Debates: Official Report , Volume 2, page 1408,
    • You then went to St. Andrews, the nighest ocean port.
  • Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate.
  • * Knolles
    • nigh kinsmen
  • * Bible, Eph. ii. 13
    • Ye are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

    Usage notes

    * is used today mostly in archaic, poetic, or regional contexts.

    Synonyms

    * (near) close, close by, close to, near

    Related terms

    * near * next * neighbor

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near.
    • night is nighing'', ''death is nighing
    nighing his hour
    a death-nighing moan

    Quotations

    * (English Citations of "nigh")

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Almost, nearly.
  • *, chapter=12
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=So, after a spell, he decided to make the best of it and shoved us into the front parlor.

    Usage notes

    * Nigh is sometimes used as a combining form.

    Quotations

    * (English Citations of "nigh")

    Derived terms

    * well-nigh * nigh on * nigh-well

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • near; close to
    • When the Moon is horned ... is it not ever nigh the Sun?

    nig

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (offensive, racial slur) nigger
  • * 1959 , Don Robertson, The three days
    • He always thought one step ahead of the nigs .
  • * 1961 , Robert Hale Strong, A Yankee private's Civil War
    • In a field near the house was a nigger working a poor old broken-down mule and another nigger sowing wheat. When we came up, both nigs quit work and stared at us.
  • * 1967 , Frank Hercules, I want a black doll
    • What part did she play in your marrying a nig — a black man — nig, nig — Negro?

    Anagrams

    * English clippings ---- ==Volapük==

    Noun

    (vo-noun)
  • ink

    • Declension

    (vo-decl-noun)

    Derived terms

    *