nigh-hand \ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\adverb Etymology: Middle English nigh hand, neih hond, from Old English nēh hand, from nēh, adverb, nigh + hand 1.: near at hand : close by < living nigh-hand to where the new house was to be built — A.H.Bullen > 2.: nearly, almost < wasn't it enough for you to nigh-hand kill one o' my horses — Samuel Lover >