Emily Dickinson Lexicon

NAR'ROW, a. [Sax. neara, nearo, nearu, nearew. I suspect this word and near to be contracted by the loss of g, W. nig, narrow, strait; nigiaw, to narrow; for the D. has naauw, narrow, close, G. genau, with a prefix. In this case, the word belongs to the root of nigh; D. naaken, to approach.]

1. Of little breadth; not wide or broad; having distance from side to side; as, a narrow board; a narrow street; a narrow sea; a narrow hem or border. It is only or chiefly applied to the surface of flat or level bodies.
2. Of little extent; very limited; as, a narrow space or compass.
3. Covetous; not liberal or bountiful; as, a narrow heart.
4. Contracted; of confined views or sentiments; very limited. The greatest understanding is narrow. Grew. In this sense and the former, it is often prefixed to mind or soul, &c.; as, narrow-minded; narrow-souled; narrow-hearted.
5. Near; within a small distance. Dryden.
6. Close; near; accurate; scrutinizing; as, a narrow search; narrow inspection.
7. Near; barely sufficient to avoid evil; as, a narrow escape.