proximate
adjective
- close to something
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”).
- 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.”
- Immediately preceding or following in a chain of causation.
- 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”).
- A grammatical marker that distinguishes a relatively salient referent in a given context from a relatively non-salient (obviative) one.