nigh : Idioms & Phrases


To come near or nigh

  • to approach in place or quality to be equal to. "Nothing ancient or modern seems to come near it." Sir W. Temple.
Webster 1913

well-nigh

  • adverb (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
    about; nigh; almost; most; near; nearly; virtually.
    • the job is (just) about done
    • the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
    • we're almost finished
    • the car all but ran her down
    • he nearly fainted
    • talked for nigh onto 2 hours
    • the recording is well-nigh perfect
    • virtually all the parties signed the contract
    • I was near exhausted by the run
    • most everyone agrees
WordNet
Well"-nigh` adverb
Definitions
  1. Almost; nearly. Chaucer.
Webster 1913