Nearest (7)
'nearest' is the definition.
('close' can be similar in meaning to 'near')
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for closest that I've seen before include "Nearest or most sultry" , "Most intimate" , "Most stuffy" , "Nearest or meanest" , "Superlatively dense" .)
'nearest' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for next that I've seen before include "shop" , "Neighbour lives in the house . . . . door" , "Nearest following" , "Proximate" , "First in line" .)