An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Close; to a point or place not far away.

Etymology (EN): O.E. near “closer, nearer,” comparative of neah, neh “nigh.”

Etymology (PE): Nazdik, from Mid.Pers. nazdik “near,” from nazd “close” (Mid.Pers. nazd, nazdik “near,” nazdist “first;” O.Pers. ašna- “close;” Av. nazdišta- “nearest, next,” nazdyo “nearer to,” nas- “to come near, approach, reach;” cf. Skt. nédīyas- “closer, very close,”
nas- “to approach, to reach”) + -ik, → -ic.