Meaning: nearest
Root word: Latin proximus, proximare .
Roots with similar meanings:
- epi– meaning “upon, close to, near”
- peri – meaning “around”
Roots with opposite meanings:
- tele– meaning “far, end”
- dist– meaning “away from”
- apo- meaning “off, away from, separate, at the farthest point”
Roots that could be confused:
Notes: The English word “proxy” meaning “authority given to someone to act on behalf of someone else” is derived from the Latin word “procuratio”, unrelated to this root.
Derived English Words
Commonly encountered words are in bold.
Approximate: Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact; an estimation.
Proximity: The state of being near or close to something; closeness in distance or relationship.
Proximal: Referring to a position that is closer to the point of attachment or origin, especially in anatomical terms.
Proximate: Immediately preceding or following in a sequence; the closest or nearest in relation to something else.
Proximation: The act of bringing things close together or making them similar.
Other Uses
Proxima Centauri: The closest known star to the Sun, located about 4.24 light-years away in the constellation of Centaurus.
Proximate cause – The immediate or closest cause leading to an effect, often used in law and philosophy.
Proximal phalanx – The bone in each finger or toe closest to the hand or foot.
Proximal interphalangeal joint – The joint between the proximal and middle phalanges of a finger or toe.
Proximal convoluted tubule – A segment in the kidney’s nephron involved in reabsorption, located closer to the kidney’s entry point
Proximus inter pares – “First among equals.” Often used to describe someone who is on equal footing with others but has special authority or prominence.
In proximum – “For the near future” or “soon.” Used to indicate something expected to happen shortly.
In loco proximi – “In the place of the nearest.” Refers to a person acting as the nearest or most appropriate substitute.
Links
List of Greek and Latin roots in English – Wikipedia
Other Roots Used in These Words
| Root | Meaning |
| con- | with, together |
| volut- | roll |
| inter- | among, between |
| loc- | place |
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