[prox.i.mate] adj [L proximatus, pp. of proximare to approach, fr. proximus nearest, next, superl. of prope near--more at approach] (1661) 1: immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects) "~, rather than ultimate, goals --Reinhold Niebuhr"
2. a: very near: close b: soon forthcoming: imminent -- prox.i.mate.ly adv -- prox.i.mate.ness n