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proximity
noun
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The fact that the star closest in proximity to our sun (approximately 4.2 light-years distant) is named Proxima Centauri is no coincidence. The history of proximity hinges on the idea of closeness, both physical and metaphorical. English speakers borrowed the word from Middle French, which in turn acquired it from forms of the Latin adjective proximus, meaning "nearest" or "next." Close relatives of proximity in English include proximal, proximate, and the somewhat more rare approximal (meaning "contiguous"). A number of other languages, including Catalan, Portuguese, and Italian, have similar words that come from the Latin proximus.
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Word History
Middle French proximité, from Latin proximitat-, proximitas, from proximus
15th century, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Proximity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proximity. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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proximity
nounLegal Definition
proximity
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on proximity
Nglish: Translation of proximity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of proximity for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proximity
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