Main Entry: prox·i·mate

Pronunciation: \ˈpräk-sə-mət\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare to approach, from proximus nearest, next, superl. of prope near — more at approach

Date: 1661

1 : immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects) <proximate, rather than ultimate, goals — Reinhold Niebuhr>
2 a : very near : close b : soon forthcoming : imminent

— prox·i·mate·ly adverb

— prox·i·mate·ness noun