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Glite Dictionary
nearside

nearside

1 7.2
The side of a vehicle next to the curb in countries that drive on the left
  • noun
  • /ˈnɪəsaɪd/
  • UK
translation icon : lado cercano
  • lunar nearside

Examples

  • I opened the nearside passenger window.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Then I was crossing the pavement toward the BMW, throwing the nearside front door open and trying to get her into the passenger seat.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Ahead, two policemen steer the traffic from the nearside curb.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • If there's spillage, it could drip onto the rear nearside disc.

    Ford v Ferrari (2019)

  • When parked on the street, the driver should ensure that the car is positioned with its nearside against the kerb to allow safe entry.

  • In countries where cars drive on the left, the nearside of the vehicle is closest to the sidewalk for passengers to exit safely.

  • Before crossing the road, check for any approaching vehicles on your nearside to ensure it is safe to step off the kerb.

Synonyms

portside
vsnearside
  • Specialized
4.3

On the left side of a ship or plane when facing forward

is used for the vehicle side nearest the kerb in left-driving countries

Surface Forms

nearside singular
nearsides plural

Morphology

nearside = near + side (semi-transparent) = near + side

The components 'near' + 'side' clearly indicate a side that is nearest, but the specialized automotive usage (side nearest the kerb in left-driving contexts) is dialect- and domain-specific.

Etymology

Nearside is simply the words near ('close') and side ('part' or 'edge') put together, so it literally names the part of a vehicle that is 'close' to the pavement. That's why nearside means the side of a car nearest the kerb, especially in countries that drive on the left.