‖n. [ L. ] Connection; tie. [ 1913 Webster ]

Man is doubtless one by some subtile nexus . . . extending from the new-born infant to the superannuated dotard. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

a., superl. of Nigh. [ AS. nēhst, niéhst, n&ymacr_;hst, superl. of neáh nigh. See Nigh. ] 1. Nearest in place; having no similar object intervening. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Her princely guest
Was next her side; in order sat the rest. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way. Bunyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Nearest in time; as, the next day or hour. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Adjoining in a series; immediately preceding or following in order. [ 1913 Webster ]

None could tell whose turn should be the next. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Nearest in degree, quality, rank, right, or relation; as, the next heir was an infant. [ 1913 Webster ]

The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. Ruth ii. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Next is usually followed by to before an object, but to is sometimes omitted. In such cases next in considered by many grammarians as a preposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Next friend (Law), one who represents an infant, a married woman, or any person who can not appear sui juris, in a suit at law. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding; as, this man follows next. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. next preceding the last; as, the figures in the next-to-last column. [ Narrower terms: junior(prenominal), third-year ]
Syn. -- penultimate. [ WordNet 1.5 ]