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nigh adverb Near, close, nearly. [DARE labels this usage “chiefly South Midland”]

1774 Dunmore’s War 141 The Boys left After these Signs nighest Home. 1862 Warrick CW Letters (July 22) I think it is mity hard for you to come that nie home and I cant get to see you. 1901 Harben Westerfelt 136 He reckoned the nigher people got to the railroad the furder they wus from the cross [i.e., Christianity]. 1913 Kephart Our Sthn High 312 I went down into the valley, wunst, and I declar I nigh sultered! 1937 Hall Coll I saw where a bear might nigh bit a dog in two. 1956 Hall Coll (Roostertown TN) I asked him to tell me [a tale], and I’ve damn nigh paid him for it. 1971 Foster Walker Valley 3:37 I never was nigh as good. 1973 GSMNP-85:1:16 They come mighty nigh hanging old Bob Catlett, too.