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proximate

Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. Proximate ancestors. The proximate natural causes of it [the deluge] (T.

(Science: medicine) burnet) Proximate analysis, 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.

Synonym: Nearest, next, closest, immediate, direct.

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.