proximate UK /ˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət/US /ˈpɹɑk.sə.mət/adjective 3noun 1forms 1 adjective3 •Close or closest; adjacent.And writing a Theory of the Deluge here, as we do, we were to exhibit a Series of causes whereby it might be made intelligible, or to shew^([sic]) the proximate Natural Causes of it; […] — 1681 •Immediately preceding or following in a chain of causation.The proximate cause of the damage must be established. •About to take place; impending. noun1 •A grammatical marker that distinguishes a relatively salient referent in a given context from a relatively non-salient (obviative) one. formsproximates
