different between approximate vs proximity

English

Alternative forms

• approx. (abbreviation, also for adverb approximately)

Etymology

From Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare (“to approach”); ad + proximare (“to come near”). See proximate.

Pronunciation

Adjective

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?.?p??k.s?.m?t/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?.?p??k.s?.m?t/, /?.?p??k.s?.m?t/

Verb

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?.?p??k.s?.me?t/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?.?p??k.s?.me?t/

Adjective

approximate (comparative more approximate, superlative most approximate)

1. Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.
2. Nearing correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate.

   approximate results or values

   NASA's Genesis spacecraft has on board an ion monitor to record the speed, density, temperature and approximate composition of the solar wind ions.

Synonyms

• close

Antonyms

• exact, precise

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

approximate (third-person singular simple present approximates, present participle approximating, simple past and past participle approximated)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To estimate.

   I approximated the value of pi by taking 22 divided by 7.

2. (transitive) To come near to; to approach.
   • 1911, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

     When you follow two separate chains of thought, Watson, you will find some point of intersection which should approximate to the truth.

   • 1802, Jedidiah Morse, The American Universal Geography

     The telescope approximates perfection.

3. (transitive) To carry or advance near; to cause to approach.
   • 1790, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France

     to approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature

Translations

Latin

Verb

approxim?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of approxim?

English

Etymology

proxim(ate) +? -ity, from Middle French proximité, from Latin proximit?s, proximit?t-, from proximus.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /p??k?s?.m?.ti/

Noun

proximity (countable and uncountable, plural proximities)

1. Closeness; the state of being near as in space, time, or relationship.

   The proximity of the heat source allowed it to be detected by the sensor.

Synonyms

• closeness, nearness

Derived terms

• proximity fuze
• proxemics

Related terms

• approximate
• approximation
• approximator
• proximate

Translations