[ap.prox.i.mate] adj [LL approximatus, pp. of approximare to come near, fr. L ad- + proximare to come near--more at proximate] (15c) 1: located close together "~ leaves"
2: nearly correct or exact "an ~ solution" -- ap.prox.i.mate.ly adv
[2]ap.prox.i.mate vb -mat.ed ; -mat.ing vt (15c) 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 ~ his parents' speech" ~ vi: to come close--usu. used with to