proximate

Adjective
US[prok-suh-muht]/ˈprɑksəmət/3 syllables

Open English WordNet

Adjective (2)

  1. closest in degree or order (space or time) especially in a chain of causes and effects“news of his proximate arrival”“interest in proximate rather than ultimate goals”Opposite ultimateSimilar immediate
  2. very close in space or time“proximate words”“proximate houses”Opposite distantSimilar close
Word of the day · Oct 13About this word
irascibleadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Prox′i·mate adjective

Origin: L. proximatus, p. p. of proximare to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest, superl. of propior nearer, and prope, adv., near.

Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. “Proximate ancestors.” John Scandrett Harford

The proximate natural causes of it [the deluge].— Burnet, Thomas

Proximate analysis Chemistry, an analysis which determines the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted with an ultimate analysis. — Proximate cause. (a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate, or predisposing cause. Isaac Watts (b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a specific result, no independent disturbing agencies intervening. — Proximate principle Physiol. Chem., one of a class of bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin, sugar, collagen, fat, etc.

Synonyms: Nearest; next; closest; immediate; direct.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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