This is the 4342nd most frequent Russian word.
близ
Near; close to.
Here, 'близ' is used as a preposition meaning 'near' or 'close to' to indicate proximity to the lake.
Мы остановились близ озера.
We stopped near the lake.
In this case, 'близ' is used to express the concept of 'approximately' or 'around' when referring to time.
Это произошло близ полуночи.
It happened around midnight.
Here, 'близ' emphasizes proximity to the central area of the city, showcasing convenience due to location.