approximates

adjective

1. near or approaching a certain state, condition, goal, or standard.
2. nearly exact; not perfectly accurate or correct: The approximate time was 10 o’clock.
3. near; close together.
4. very similar; nearly identical.

verb (used with object), ap·prox·i·mat·ed, ap·prox·i·mat·ing.

5. to come near to; approach closely to: to approximate an ideal.
6. to estimate: We approximated the distance at three miles.
7. to simulate; imitate closely: The motions of the stars can be approximated in a planetarium.
8. to bring near.

verb (used without object), ap·prox·i·mat·ed, ap·prox·i·mat·ing.

9. to come near in position, character, amount, etc.

adjective (əˈprɒksɪmɪt)

1. almost accurate or exact
2. inexact; rough; looseonly an approximate fit
3. much alike; almost the same
4. near; close together

verb (əˈprɒksɪˌmeɪt)

5. (usually foll by to) to come or bring near or close; be almost the same (as)
6. maths to find an expression for (some quantity) accurate to a specified degreeSee accurate (def. 4)

adj.

early 15c., from Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare “to come near to,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + proximare “come near,” from proximus “nearest,” superlative of prope “near” (see propinquity).

v.

early 15c., “to bring or put close,” from approximate (adj.). Meaning “to come close” is from 1789. Related: Approximated; approximating.

v.

1. To bring together, as cut edges of tissue.

adj.

1. Relating to the contact surfaces, either proximal or distal, of two adjacent teeth; proximate.
2. Close together. Used of the teeth in the human jaw.