I. ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət adjective
Etymology: Late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare to come near, from Latin ad- + proximare to come near — more at proximate
Date: 15th century
1. : located close together
approximate leaves
2. : nearly correct or exact
an approximate solution
• ap·prox·i·mate·ly adverb
II. -ˌmāt verb
( -mat·ed ; -mat·ing )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to bring near or close
b. : to bring (cut edges of tissue) together
2. : to come near to or be close to in position, value, or characteristics
a child tries to approximate his parents' speech
intransitive verb
: to come close — usually used with to