propinquity
noun
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Getting Closer to the Meaning of Propinquity
Propinquity and its cousin "proximity" are related through the Latin root prope, which means "near." That root gave rise to "proximus" (the parent of "proximity") and "propinquus" (an ancestor of "propinquity"). "Proximus" is the superlative of "prope" and thus means "nearest," whereas "propinquus" simply means "near" or "akin," but in English "propinquity" conveys a stronger sense of closeness than "proximity." (The latter usually suggests a sense of being in the vicinity of something.) The distinctions between the two words are subtle, however, and they are often used interchangeably. "Propinquity" is believed to be the older of the two words, first appearing in English in the 14th century; "proximity" followed a century later.
Synonyms
Examples of propinquity in a Sentence
Curbed, 20 Oct. 2023
Residents tolerate--even welcome--human propinquity.
—Glen Martin, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The ragged labor agitator becomes the shop steward, then the union boss, and the propinquity of the bargaining table supplies the fellow with new best friends.
—David Mamet, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022
For such profound propinquity, move from the free-flowing oceans to the more structured world of soil, where potential self-sacrificers can nestle next to each other.
—The Economist, 20 Aug. 2020
Being a young creator of any kind is all about cheap rent and propinquity.
—Mary Kaye Schilling, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2017
Now, a small New Jersey township is bracing for its own looming propinquity to the president.
—Emily Jane Fox, The Hive, 19 Apr. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'propinquity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Propinquity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propinquity. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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