Quote:

irregular sets of compartive/superlative are interesting near, nigh, next is another..



Citation for these as a comparative set, please? The dictionaries I have access to list "near" and "nigh" as interchangeable synonyms. In fact, not only does no dictionary I consulted offer "nigh" as a comparative of "near" the AHD even offers comparative inflections of "nigh" Also, the etymology for "next" suggests that it was in fact a very REGULAR superlative. I had guessed as much from my rusty German, and the trusty AHD confirmed it:
Quote:

Middle English nexte, from Old English nehsta, nhst, superlative of nah, near.



Given this, I would be very interested to read the sources for the claim you make.

Last edited by sjmaxq; 04/05/2006 2:02 AM.
noho ora mai
http://maxqnzs.com/References.html