Eastern (anag) (7)
(Other definitions for nearest that I've seen before include "Most accessible" , "Closest, being earnest" , "Most approximate" , "Most adjacent" , "Closest among relatives" .)
(Other definitions for earnest that I've seen before include "Oscar Wilde wrote ''The importance of Being . . . . . . . '' (7)" , "Serious, solemn" , "Sincere in intention" , "Sincere, solemn" , "Serious - advance" .)