I. ˈpräksəməl adjective
Etymology: Latin proxim us + English -al
1. : situated close to
the magnetic compass … in proximal polar areas — Scientific Monthly
2. : next to or nearest the point of attachment or origin, a point conceived of as central, or the point of view
the proximal was … better than the peripheral stump for a graft — Annual Review of Medical
more sediment is deposited on the proximal … slopes — P.H.Kuenen
especially : located toward the center of the body
the proximal end of a bone
— opposed to distal
3. : sensory rather than physical or social
proximal stimuli — D.W.Hamlyn
— opposed to distal
II. adjective
: of, relating to, or being the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth
• prox·i·mal·ly -mə-lē adverb