n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' pr ō ch
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English approchen, from Anglo-French aprocher, from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- + prope near; akin to Latin pro before ― more at FOR
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a : to draw closer to : NEAR < approach a destination> b : to come very near to : be almost the same as <its mathematics approach es mysticism ― Theodore Sturgeon> <as the quantity x approach es zero>
2 a : to make advances to especially in order to create a desired result <was approach ed by several Broadway producers> b : to take preliminary steps toward accomplishment or full knowledge or experience of < approach the subject with an open mind>
intransitive verb
1 : to draw nearer <the time is fast approach ing >
2 : to make an approach in golf