Nearsides

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Referring to the side of a vehicle or object that is closest to the curb or sidewalk when traveling; describing the left-hand flank in British driving contexts; indicating the near edge in relation to a reference point or observer
2. Denoting the portion of a conveyance facing the pavement or road edge on the usual side of approach; specifying the left side in regional vehicular terminology; identifying the proximal side relative to a person or fixed location
3. Characterizing the section adjacent to the street or curb side on a mode of transportation; used to specify the driver's side in some countries; relating to the closest side in spatial or directional terms

Etymology: "Nearsides" is the plural of "nearside", a compound of "near" and "side". The base word is plain English: "near" comes from Old English "nēar", and "side" from Old English "sīde", so the term was assembled from two native elements rather than borrowed from another language. The meaning turns on the word "near" in the sense of "closer", which is why the same term can point to the left side of a vehicle in British usage or to the side of a vehicle that faces the kerb on the usual side of approach. Because the compound describes position relative to a viewer or a fixed point, it applies equally to a person standing beside a car or to the part of a room nearest a doorway.