Proximal
/ˈprɒk.sɪ.məl/noun
Situated nearer to the center of the body or to the point of attachment.
Did you know?Its Latin ancestor gave English not just *proximal* but also *proximate*, *approximate*, and *approximation*—all orbiting the same ancient idea of drawing near.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
proximus
“nearest, next, very near”
Late Latin
Latin
proximalis
“pertaining to what is nearest”
16th Century
English
proximal
“nearer to a point of reference; in anatomy, nearer the trunk or origin”
Modern English
English
proximal
“situated nearer to the center of the body or to the point of attachment”
Explore more surprising origins