nearness

Everyday

1. Being close in distance. tree →
2. Being close in time, as in "the nearness of the holidays". tree →
3. Being close in a relationship or feeling. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday talk and stories about place, time and people: the nearness of the sea, the nearness of exams, a feeling of nearness to a friend.

Examples

• The nearness of the school means I can walk there. tree →
• We loved the nearness of the beach. tree →
• The nearness of Christmas made everyone excited. tree →
• The nearness of the storm made the dog nervous. tree →
• She felt a nearness to her grandmother when she read her letters. tree →
• The nearness of the two planets made them look like one bright star. tree →
• The house's nearness to the motorway made it noisy. tree →
• Yet there was no sign to tell her of their nearness. tree →

Note

Uncountable. From "near" + "-ness". Similar: "closeness", "proximity" (formal).

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The psalmist says that being close to God is the greatest good. Tradition reads this as the aim of a Jewish life, to draw near to God in prayer and in doing mitzvot. In the primary lessons: Used in everyday talk and stories about place, time and people: the nearness of the sea, the nearness of exams, a feeling of nearness to a friend.

Examples

• But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works. (Writings PSA.73.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable. From "near" + "-ness". Similar: "closeness", "proximity" (formal).