Approximate | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Ap-prŏx'i-mate, a.

adjective

(45), a. [Lat. approximatus, p. p. of approximare. See infra.]

Sense 1. Near; next; proximate. [Obs.]

Sense 2. (Chem. & Math.) Nearly approaching correctness; not carried out to perfect accuracy; as, approximate results, approximate values.

Sense 3. (Zool.) Arranged in the jaws so that one passes on the side of the next, with no intervening vacancy; —said of the teeth. Brande.

Approximate quantities (Math.), those which are nearly, but not absolutely, equal. Brande.

Ap-prŏx'i-māte, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. APPROXIMATED; p. pr. & vb. n. APPROXIMATING.] [Lat. approximare, from ad and proximare, to come near, from proximus, superl. of propior, nearer, compar. of adv. prope, near; Fr. approximer, Pr. aproʒmar, It. approssimare.] To carry or advance near; to cause to approach. Aikin.

To approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature. Burke.

Ap-prŏx'i-māte, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To come or draw near; to approach. Burke.