propinquity

American  

[proh-ping-kwi-tee] / proʊˈpɪŋ kwɪ ti /

noun

1. nearness in place; proximity.

2. nearness of relation; kinship.

3. affinity of nature; similarity.

4. nearness in time.

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propinquity British  

/ prəˈpɪŋkwɪtɪ /

noun

1. nearness in place or time

2. nearness in relationship

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Etymology

Origin of propinquity

First recorded in 1400–1450; Middle English, from Old French propinquite, from Latin propinquitās “nearness,” equivalent to propinqu(us) “near, nearby,” from prop(e) “near” + -inquus adjective suffix) + -itās -ity; see pro-

Explanation

Ah propinquity, a word meaning "proximity or physical closeness." Your propinquity to someone in a conversation will affect whether you can smell his breath or not. Propinquity had a brief moment in the sun on a television show in the 1950s called Dobie Gillis. There was an episode in which the nerdy girl, who was in love with Dobie Gillis, decided to get him to love her back. How? Propinquity! And so she explained it to him, over and over and over, theorizing that just being near someone long enough would tip them over the edge into love. Sadly for her, it didn’t work, but everyone who has ever seen or heard of the episode has the meaning of propinquity burned into their brain.

Example Sentences

Propinquity makes hearts grow fonder, and they decide, if the new play clicks, to remarry.

From Time Magazine Archive

If Hymen ever raises an altar to his most devoted hand-maid it will be to the dear goddess Propinquity!

From The Justice of the King by Drummond, Hamilton

Propinquity did it—was that not why men and women nearly always married in their own village, their own social circle?

From The Sagebrusher A Story of the West by Hough, Emerson

Propinquity tightens bonds and there is a steady blossoming of the character in a radiant atmosphere.

From The Kempton-Wace Letters by London, Jack

Nature provides the imbecile desire, Propinquity furnishes an object at random.

From A Pessimist In Theory and Practice by Bird, Frederic Mayer