a. [ L. approximatus, p. p. of approximare to approach; ad + proximare to come near. See Proximate. ] 1. Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Near correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate; as, approximate results or values. [ 1913 Webster ]

Approximate quantities (Math.), those which are nearly, but not, equal. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Approximated p. pr. & vb. n. Approximating. ] 1. To carry or advance near; to cause to approach. [ 1913 Webster ]

To approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To come near to; to approach. [ 1913 Webster ]

The telescope approximates perfection. J. Morse. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To draw; to approach. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With approximation; so as to approximate; nearly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. approximation, LL. approximatio. ] 1. The act of approximating; a drawing, advancing or being near; approach; also, the result of approximating. [ 1913 Webster ]

The largest capacity and the most noble dispositions are but an approximation to the proper standard and true symmetry of human nature. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An approach to a correct estimate, calculation, or conception, or to a given quantity, quality, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) (a) A continual approach or coming nearer to a result; as, to solve an equation by approximation. (b) A value that is nearly but not exactly correct. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. approximatif. ] Approaching; approximate. -- Ap*prox"i*ma*tive*ly, adv. -- Ap*prox"i*ma*tive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, approximates. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. 1 a small genus of Hawaiian spreading and rosette-forming shrubs.
Syn. -- genus Argyroxiphium. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a genus of deciduous trees of India and Sri Lanka.
Syn. -- genus Chloroxylon. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ a trademark of the Clorox Co. ] a commercial bleaching agent, consisting of a 5.25% aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Other similar solutions of sodium hypochlorite are sometimes referred to as clorox. [ trademark ]
Syn. -- bleach. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

‖n. [ NL., from Gr. 'eryqro`s red + &unr_; wood. So named from the red wood of some species. ] (Bot.) A genus of shrubs or small trees of the Flax family, growing in tropical countries. E. Coca is the source of cocaine. See Coca. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A persulphocyanate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Hydro-, 2 + xanthic. ] (Chem.) Persulphocyanic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Hydro-, 2 + oxide. ] (Chem.) A hydrate; a substance containing hydrogen and oxygen, made by combining water with an oxide, and yielding water by elimination. The hydroxides are regarded as compounds of hydroxyl, united usually with basic element or radical; as, calcium hydroxide ethyl hydroxide. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Chem.) A combining form, also used adjectively, indicating hydroxyl as an ingredient. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hydroxy acid (Chem.), an organic acid, having (besides the hydroxyl group of the carboxyl radical) an alcoholic hydroxyl group, and thus having the qualities of an alcohol in addition to its acid properties; as, lactic and tartaric acids are hydroxy acids. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Hydro-, 2 + oxygen + -yl. ] (Chem.) A compound radical, or unsaturated group, HO, consisting of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen. It is a characteristic part of the hydrates, the alcohols, the oxygen acids, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Hydroxyl + amine. ] (Chem.) A nitrogenous, organic base, NH2.OH, resembling ammonia, and produced by a modified reduction of nitric acid. It is usually obtained as a volatile, unstable solution in water. It acts as a strong reducing agent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a methyl radical with a hydroxyl group replacing one of the hydrogen atoms. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A crystalline amino acid (C5H9NO3), a hydroxylated proline, obtained by hydrolysis of gelatin or collagen. Chemically it is 4-hydroxy-L-proline. It is classified as nonessential for growth in rats. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. (Chem.) A compound having a relatively large percentage of oxygen; a peroxide. [ Obs. ]

{ } a. (Chem.) Combined with a relatively large amount of oxygen; -- said of higher oxides. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A perchlorate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Perchloric; as, hyperoxymuriatic acid. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A slightly alkaline chemical substance, Mg(OH)2, the active principle in the antacid milk of magnesia, also used as a laxative. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Cf. Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, a sort of pipe clay. ] (Min.) A variety of apatite of a greenish blue color. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A morate. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. morus a mulberry tree + Gr. &unr_; wood. ] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the mulberry; moric. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖prop. n. [ NL., fr. Gr. my`ron a sweet juice distilling from a plant + xy`lon wood. ] (Bot.) A genus of leguminous trees of tropical America, the different species of which yield balsamic products, among which are balsam of Peru, and balsam of Tolu. The species were formerly referred to Myrospermum. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Nitro- + oxygen + -yl. ] (Chem.) The group -NO2, usually called the nitro group. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. paroxysme, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to sharpen, irritate; para` beside, beyond + &unr_; to sharpen, from &unr_; sharp. ] 1. (Med.) The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or intermissions. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any sudden and violent emotion; spasmodic passion or action; a convulsion; a fit. [ 1913 Webster ]

The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of a paroxysm; characterized or accompanied by paroxysms; as, a paroxysmal pain; paroxysmal temper. -- Par`ox*ys"mal*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;, a. See Para-, and Oxytone. ] (Gr. Gram.) A word having an acute accent on the penultimate syllable. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Act, process, or result of peroxidizing; oxidation to a peroxide. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) An oxide containing more oxygen than some other oxide of the same element. Formerly peroxides were regarded as the highest oxides. Cf. Per-, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Peroxidized p. pr. & vb. n. Peroxidizing. ] (Chem.) To oxidize to the utmost degree, so as to form a peroxide. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;. See Pro-, and Paroxytone. ] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the acute accent on the antepenult. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Proxy. ] “The ticket or list of candidates at elections, presented to the people for their votes.” [ Rhode Island ] Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. &unr_;; &unr_; before + &unr_; a guest, stranger: cf. F. proxène. ] (Gr. Antiq.) An officer who had the charge of showing hospitality to those who came from a friendly city or state. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. proxeneta, Gr. &unr_;. ] A negotiator; a factor. [ R. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; agent + -ism; cf. F. proxénétisme. ] The action of a go-between or broker in negotiating immoral bargains between the sexes; procuring. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adv. [ Proximal + L. ad to. ] (Anat.) Toward a proximal part; on the proximal side of; proximally. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Toward or nearest, as to a body, or center of motion of dependence; proximate. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) (a) Situated near the point of attachment or origin; as, the proximal part of a limb. (b) Of or pertaining to that which is proximal; as, the proximal bones of a limb. Opposed to distal. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. (Anat.) On or toward a proximal part; proximad. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. proximatus, p. p. of proximare to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest, superl. of propior nearer, and prope, adv., near. ] Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. “Proximate ancestors.” J. S. Harford. [ 1913 Webster ]

The proximate natural causes of it [ the deluge ]. T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

Proximate analysis (Chem.), an analysis which determines the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted with an ultimate analysis. --
Proximate cause. (a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate, or predisposing cause. I. Watts. (b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a specific result, no independent disturbing agencies intervening. --
Proximate principle (Physiol. Chem.), one of a class of bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin, sugar, collagen, fat, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Nearest; next; closest; immediate; direct. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a proximate manner, position, or degree; immediately. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. proximus. See Proximate. ] Next; immediately preceding or following. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Proximate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. proximitas: cf. F. proximité See Proximate, and cf. Propinquity, Approach. ] The quality or state of being next in time, place, causation, influence, etc.; immediate nearness, either in place, blood, or alliance. [ 1913 Webster ]

If he plead proximity of blood
That empty title is with ease withstood. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ L., on the next, abl. of proximus next. ] In the next month after the present; -- often contracted to prox.; as, on the 3d proximo. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Proxies [ Contr. from procuracy. Cf. Proctor. ] 1. The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have no man's proxy: I speak only for myself. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote for another. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament his proxy, to vote for him in his absence. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Eng. Law) The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Eccl.) See Procuration. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]