Modifying prepositional phrases (and occasionally adverbs) expressing position. See also phrases 3. With reference to proximity in space: close…
next a person's hand: nearest at hand, most close by. Also figurative. Obsolete.
Nearest at hand; directly following. Obsolete.
at (the) next: directly following in time or sequence. on next: subsequently, thereafter. Obsolete.
In very close proximity; nearby. Formerly also: †close in time (obsolete).