law of proximity

or Law of Prox·im·i·ty

[ lawuhv prok-sim-i-tee ]

/ ˈlɔ əv prɒkˈsɪm ɪ ti /

Psychology.

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noun

(in Gestalt psychology) the idea that things that are closer together are perceived as more related than things that are far apart: Marketers and advertisers can take advantage of the law of proximity to deliver a memorable and eye-catching visual message.

the idea that people are more likely to form relationships with the people who are physically closest to them: The law of proximity suggests that people who sit closer together in the same office or classroom are more likely to form relationships than those who sit farther apart.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of law of proximity

First recorded in 1720–30

Words nearby law of proximity

law of motion, law of multiple proportion, law of nations, law of nature, law of parsimony, law of proximity, law of reflection, law of refraction, law of segregation, law of similarity, law of sines

How to use law of proximity in a sentence

Unless there is a court decision that changes our law, we are OK.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Submission is set in a France seven years from now that is dominated by a Muslim president intent on imposing Islamic law.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A few days later, Bush replied, “We will uphold the law in Florida.”
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To those who agreed with him, Bush pledged that the law against same-sex marriage would remain intact.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

In Israel, however, a new law took effect January 1st that banned the use of underweight models.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We should have to admit that the new law does little or nothing to relieve such a situation.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
To Harrison and his wife there was no distinction between the executive and judicial branches of the law.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
Now this setting up of an orderly law-abiding self seems to me to imply that there are impulses which make for order.
Children's Ways|James Sully
These schools became affiliated Universities, but never equalled the Law University in importance.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II)|Henry Osborn Taylor