prox ‧ i ‧ mate /ˈprɒksəmət, ˈprɒksɪmət $ ˈprɑːk-/ BrE AmE adjective formal
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of proximare 'to go near' , from proximus 'nearest, next' ]
1 . a proximate cause is a direct one
2 . nearest in time, order, or family relationship SYN close