Where does “nighness” come from?

nighness (English) comes from English Ness, from Middle English nesse, from Old English næs, from Proto-Germanic nasją, from Proto-Indo-European néh₂s — nose.

nighness (English): The quality or state of being nigh, or near

Definitions

  1. The quality or state of being nigh, or near

Ancestry of “nighness”, step by step

nighness traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Ness

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishNessAn Ulster princess and the mother of Conchobar mac Nessa and Findchoem in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide. Also the mother of Cormac Cond Longas by incest with Conchobar mac Nessa
2Middle Englishnesse
3Old Englishnæsnot, not at all; not; first/third-person singular...
4Proto-Germanicnasjąfoothill; headland; cape
5Proto-Indo-Europeannéh₂snose

via English nigh

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishnighnear, close by; Not remote in degree, kindred,...
2Middle EnglishneyghPhysically near or adjacent; Figuratively near;...
3Old Englishnēahnigh, near; near
4Proto-West Germanic*nāhwnear, close
Every word from Proto-Indo-European néh₂sEvery word from Proto-Germanic nasjąEvery word from Old English næs