proximal

[ prok-suh-muhl ]

adjective

1. situated toward the point of origin or attachment, as of a limb or bone. Compare distal ( def 1 ).

proximal

/ ˈprɒksɪməl /

adjective

1. See distal
   anatomy situated close to the centre, median line, or point of attachment or origin Compare distal
2. See proximate
   another word for proximate

Derived Forms

• ˈproximally, adverb

Other Words From

• proxi·mal·ly adverb
• inter·proxi·mal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proximal¹

1720–30; < Latin proxim ( us ) next (superlative of prope near) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Furious downslope winds were also the proximal culprit in that disaster, but the unusually dry vegetation conditions facilitated the fire’s rapid spread in the first place.

From Outside Online

The pandemic is surging nationally, not just proximal to biker chaos in South Dakota.

From The Daily Beast

Everything is proximal though, so you can't go wrong choosing a different option.

From The Daily Beast

The proximal muscles, those close to the chest, will be the most severely impacted and experience the greatest weakness.

From The Daily Beast

This investment completely surrounds the proximal portion of the posterior root, but vanishes near its distal extremity.

From Project Gutenberg

Only the proximal regions of the plates become split in this way, while their peripheral parts remain quite intact.

From Project Gutenberg

A crest is never developed at the proximal end, like that seen in the Guillemot and Diver and other water birds.

From Project Gutenberg

Lizards, too, usually have three bones in the proximal row and five smaller bones in the distal row.

From Project Gutenberg

The width of a proximal carpal rarely exceeds two inches, and that of a distal carpal is about an inch and three-quarters.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjacent
• adjoining
• immediate
• nearby
• neighboring
• warm