proximity English · revision 15363

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1480|origins=la prope}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pɹɒkˈsɪm.ɪ.ti/ ''(UK)''; /pɹɑkˈsɪm.ɪ.ti/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|proximité|t=nearness]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|proximitās|t=nearness, vicinity]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|proximus|t=nearest, next]], the superlative of [[m|la|prope|t=near]] (see [[approximate]] and [[propinquity]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Nearness in relations, as of kinship (''proximity of blood''): 1480, in Caxton's translation of Ovid's ''Metamorphoses'', in Barnhart and the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Nearness in space is from 1579.^(OED 1989) The Latin ''proximus'' also meant figuratively latest, next or most faithful.^(Etymonline) The proximity fuse, a radar-triggered detonator in a missile, is from 1945.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1480 – nearness of kinship.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1579 – nearness in space.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1945 – proximity fuse.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Nearness in space, time or relationship; [[closeness]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[proxemics]]

+ * [[nonproximity]]

+ * [[proximity fuse]]

+ * [[proximity fuze]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[approximate]]

+ * [[approximation]]

+ * [[proximate]]

+ * [[propinquity]]

+ * [[approach]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}