proximate

proximate

English

Etymology

From Late Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare (“to draw near, approach”), from Latin proximus (“nearest”), superlative of prope (“near”).

Adjective

proximate (not comparable)

1. Close or closest; adjacent.
   • 1681, Burnet, Thomas, “The Deluge and Dissolution of the Earth”, in The Theory of the Earth, 3rd edition, London: R. N[orton], translation of Telluris Theoria Sacra, published 1697, page 73:

     And writing a Theory of the Deluge here, as we do, we were to exhibit a Series of causes whereby it might be made intelligible, or to shew^[sic] the proximate Natural Causes of it; […]

   • 1857, Harford, John Scandrett, The Life of Michael Angelo Buonarroti, 2nd edition, London: Longman & Roberts, published 1858, page 154:

     […] the basis of a reformed constitution was laid, by the appointment of a grand council, consisting of all such citizens as could prove that their proximate ancestors had shared in the offices or honours of the state.

   • 2019 March 11, Kotsopoulos, Nick, quoting John Kelly, “Worcester plan aims to stop owners from paving front lawns”, in Worcester Telegram‎:

     The proposed changes recognize that adequate off-street parking is an important, and often challenging, issue in many residential neighborhoods, and attempt to balance the need for off-street parking with appropriate limitations, especially in areas visible from the street or proximate to neighboring properties.

2. (law) Immediately preceding or following in a chain of causation.
3. About to take place; impending.

Synonyms

• (close): near, nigh; see also Thesaurus:near

Antonyms

• (close): distant, far; see also Thesaurus:distant
• (w.r.t. causes): ultimate

Derived terms

• proximate cause
• proximately

Translations

close or closest; adjacent

Danish: nær Interlingua: proxime

Russian: ближа́йший (ru) (bližájšij), сме́жный (ru) (sméžnyj) (adjacent)

Noun

proximate (plural proximates)

1. (linguistics) A grammatical marker in the Algonquian (and some other) languages for a principal third person.

Related terms

• approximate
• approximation
• approximator
• proximity

See also

• obviative

Further reading

• proximate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• proximate in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

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Latin

Verb

proximāte

1. second-person plural present active imperative of proximō