[ˈprɒksɪmət], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- (especially of the cause of something) closest in relationship; immediate
(e.g: the fact that a storm may show up the poor condition of a flat roof does not signify that storm was the proximate cause of damage to it)

- nearly accurate; approximate
(e.g: he would try to change her speech into proximate ladylikeness)

- relating to the components of a substance as separated or identified by an initial or relatively simple process
(e.g: proximate constituents)


Phrases:

Origin:
late 16th century (in proximately, adverb): from Latin proximatus ‘drawn near’, past participle of proximare, from proximus ‘nearest’