approximate

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   very close in resemblance

   sketched in an approximate likeness

2. 2
   adj

   not quite exact or correct

   the approximate time was 10 o'clock

3. 3
   verb

   to judge tentatively or form an estimate of quantities or time

   I approximate that it will take a week to finish.

4. 4
   verb

   to be close or similar

   Their results approximate my own.

5. 5
   adj

   Nearing correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate.

   approximate results or values

6. 6
   verb

   To estimate.

   I approximated the value of pi by taking 22 divided by 7.

7. 7
   verb

   To come near to; to approach.

   When you follow two separate chains of thought, Watson, you will find some point of intersection which should approximate to the truth.

8. 8
   verb

   To carry or advance near; to cause to approach.

   to approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin proximō Latin approximō Latin approximātusder. Middle English approximat English approximate From Middle English approximat(e) (“close, near (to); similar; intimate”, also used as the past participle of approximaten), from Latin approximātus, the perfect passive participle of approximō (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), further from ad- (“to, towards, at”) + proximō (“to come near”). The noun was derived from the adjective through substantivization, see -ate (noun-forming suffix). See also proximate…