approximate
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approximate¹
- /əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət/ UK
- /əˈpɹɑk.sə.mət/ US
- /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət/ US
Where it comes from
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd
Proto-Italic *ad
Proto-Italic *ad-
Latin ad-
Latin proximō
Latin approximō
Latin approximātusder.
Middle English approximat
English approximate
From Middle English approximat(e) (“close, near (to); similar; intimate”, also used as the past participle of approximaten), from Latin approximātus, the perfect passive participle of approximō (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), further from ad- (“to, towards, at”) + proximō (“to come near”). The noun was derived from the adjective through substantivization, see -ate (noun-forming suffix). See also proximate. By surface analysis, ap- + proximate.
adjective more approximate · most approximate · approx.
- Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.
- Nearing correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate. approximate results or values
- Drawn close together, but not united.
Similar: close
noun approximates · approx.
- An approximate result or quantity.
approximate²
- /əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.meɪt/ UK
- /əˈpɹɑk.sə.meɪt/ US
Where it comes from
From Middle English approximaten (“to bring, put close (to)”), from approximat(e) (“close, near (to); similar; intimate”, also used as the past participle of approximaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin approximātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.
verb approximates · approximating · approximated · approx.
- To estimate. I approximated the value of pi by taking 22 divided by 7.
- To come near to; to approach. When you follow two separate chains of thought, Watson, you will find some point of intersection which should approximate to the truth.
- To carry or advance near; to cause to approach. to approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature
