Skip to content

proximate

adjective

  1. close to something
L339606 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət/ / /ˈpɹɑk.sə.mət/ / /ˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət/

adj

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

  1. Close or closest; adjacent.

    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; […]

    […] 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.

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

noun

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

  1. A grammatical marker that distinguishes a relatively salient referent in a given context from a relatively non-salient (obviative) one.