Emily Dickinson Lexicon

NEXT, a. superl.

1. of nigh. [Sax. next or nexsta, from neh, neap, nigh; G. niichst; D. mast; Sw. nest; Dan. naes.]
2. Nearest in place; that has no object intervening between it and some other; immediately preceding, or preceding in order. We say, the next person before or after another. Her princely guest Was next her side, in order sat the rest. Dryden.
3. Nearest in time; as, the neat day or hour; the nest day before or after Easter.
4. Nearest in degree, quality, rank, right or relation; as, one man is next to another in excellence; one is next in kindred; one is next in rank or dignity. Assign the property to him who has the next claim.