Part 632

Prox"ene (?), n. [Cf. &?;; &?; before + &?; a guest, stranger: cf. F. proxËne.] (Gr. Antiq.) An officer who had the charge of showing hospitality to those who came from a friendly city or state.

Prox"e*net (?), n. [L. proxeneta, Gr. &?;.] A negotiator; a factor. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Prox"i*mad (?), adv. [Proximal + L. ad to.] (Anat.) Toward a proximal part; on the proximal side of; proximally.

Prox"i*mal (?), a. 1. Toward or nearest, as to a body, or center of motion of dependence; proximate.

2. (Biol.) (a) Situated near the point of attachment or origin; as, the proximal part of a limb. (b) Of or pertaining to that which is proximal; as, the proximal bones of a limb. Opposed to distal.

Prox"i*mal*ly, adv. (Anat.) On or toward a proximal part; proximad.

Prox"i*mate (?), a. [L. proximatus, p. p. of proximare to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest, superl. of propior nearer, and prope, adv., near.] Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. "Proximate ancestors." J. S. Harford.

The proximate natural causes of it [the deluge].

T. Burnet.

Proximate analysis (Chem.), an analysis which determines the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted with an ultimate analysis. -- Proximate cause. (a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate, or predisposing cause. I. Watts. (b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a specific result, no independent disturbing agencies intervening. -- Proximate principle (Physiol. Chem.), one of a class of bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin, sugar, collagen, fat, etc.

Syn. -- Nearest; next; closest; immediate; direct.

Prox"i*mate*ly, adv. In a proximate manner, position, or degree; immediately.

Prox"ime (?), a. [L. proximus. See Proximate.] Next; immediately preceding or following. [Obs.]

Prox*im"i*ous (?), a. Proximate. [Obs.]

Prox*im"i*ty (?), n. [L. proximitas: cf. F. proximitÈ See Proximate, and cf. Propinquity, Approach.] The quality or state of being next in time, place, causation, influence, etc.; immediate nearness, either in place, blood, or alliance.

If he plead proximity of blood That empty title is with ease withstood.

Dryden.

Prox"i*mo (?). [L., on the next, abl. of proximus next.] In the next month after the present; -- often contracted to prox.; as, on the 3d proximo.

Prox"y (?), n.; pl. Proxies (#). [Contr. from procuracy. Cf. Proctor.] 1. The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity.

I have no man's proxy: I speak only for myself.

Burke.

2. The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote for another.

Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament his proxy, to vote for him in his absence.

Blackstone.

3. A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.

4. (Eng. Law) The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts. Burrill.

5. (Eccl.) See Procuration. [Obs.]

Prox"y, v. i. To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another. [R.]