proximal
adjective
- nearer to the point of origin (or other point of ref.)
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈpɹɒksɪməl/
adj
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *prokʷe Proto-Indo-European *prokʷism̥mos Latin proximus Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English proximal From Latin proximus, superlative form of prope (“near, nigh”).
- Closer to the point of attachment or observation.
- Facing toward another tooth. The proximal surfaces of a tooth are those that touch or are close to neighboring teeth.
- Closer to the speaker.