approximate

 

adjective

Pronunciation: /əˈprɒksɪmət/
  • close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact: the approximate time of death

verb

Pronunciation: /əˈprɒksɪmeɪt/
[no object]
  • come close or be similar to something in quality, nature, or quantity: a leasing agreement approximating to ownership [with object]: reality can be approximated by computational techniques
  • [with object] estimate or calculate (a quantity) fairly accurately: I had to approximate the weight of my horse

Derivatives

approximative

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (in the adjectival sense 'close, similar'): from late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare, from ad- 'to' + proximus 'very near'. The verb (originally meaning 'bring close') arose in the mid 17th century; the current adjectival sense dates from the early 19th century