Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PROX'I-MATE, a. [L. superl. proximus; Fr. proche; approcher, to approach; reprocher, to reproach. The primary sense of the root is to drive or press. See Class Brg.]

Nearest; next. A proximate cause is that which immediately precedes and produces the effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate or predisposing cause. – Watts.