| 释义 |
▪ I. approximate, ppl. a. and n.|əˈprɒksɪmət|
[ad. L. approximāt-us pa. pple. of approximā-re (Tertull.) to draw near to, f. ap- = ad- to + proximā-re, f. proxim-us very near, next.]
A. adj.
1. Very near, in position or in character; closely situated; nearly resembling.
1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 159 Holding some community with our selves, and containing approximate disposition unto animation. 1859Darwin Orig. Spec. xii. (1876) 318 The above-named three approximate faunas of Eastern and Western America.
2. Phys. Sc. Set very close together.
1839Johnston in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club I. vii. 198 Towards the base of the arm..they soon become approximate. 1870Hooker Stud. Flora 411 Carex..spikelets 2–6, short, ovoid, approximate.
3. ellipt. Nearly approaching to accuracy; fairly or reasonably correct.
1816Burrowes Encycl. s.v. Arithmetic, Approximate decimals. 1831Brewster Optics viii. 77 We may..obtain the approximate indices of refraction. 1853H. Rogers Ecl. Faith 123 There is an approximate uniformity.
B. n. An approximate result or quantity. rare.
1784Waring in Phil. Trans. LXXIV. 407 In finding approximates to the roots of given equations. 1816Burrowes Encycl. s.v. Arithmetic, Examples of the arithmetic of approximates.
▪ II. approximate, v.|əˈprɒksɪmeɪt|
[f. prec., or on analogy of vbs. so formed.]
1. trans. To bring close or near, to cause to approach or be near (to). Rarely, and chiefly in scientific language, of physical motion (as of molecules), but common in other relations: see 2.
1660Barrow Serm., Bounty to Poor, Goodness..approximates the angels to God. 1765Johnson Pref. Shaks. Wks. IX. 245 Shakespeare approximates the remote, and familiarizes the wonderful. 1790Burke Fr. Rev. 137 Whenever man is put over men..he should as nearly as possible be approximated to his perfection. 1806W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. IV. 773 The comb..with which the weaver approximates the threads of shoot. 1830Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 80 Of very uncertain affinity: its fruit approximates it to Bixineæ. 1842W. Grove Corr. Phys. Forces 37 Percussion..by approximating their particles, makes them specifically more dense. 1855Milman Lat. Chr. IV. vii. vi. 168 Everything which approximated the human Saviour to the heart.
2. intr. To come near or close (to). Rarely (in scientific language) of physical motion, but often of the convergence of lines or surfaces, and of the position resulting from such convergence; commonly used of conceptions to which ideas of space are transferred, and of approach to similarity, identity, or accuracy, in any respect.
1789–96Morse Amer. Geog. II. 497 Their morality approximated to that of Christianity. 1835Sir J. Ross N.-W. Pass. xxiii. 238 The shores gradually approximate. 1835Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) III. 237 Some who believe themselves to approximate to statesmen. 1848Hardy in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club II. vi. 336 Those on the third segment closely approximate. 1853Lynch Self-Impr. vi. 147 But approximate to a judgement we often must. c1854Stanley Sinai & Pal. iv. (1858) 209 A narrower valley, almost approximating to the character of a ravine. 1857Sir J. Stephen Lect. Hist. Fr. xvii. II. 154 All we can expect..is to approximate to the true solution.
3. trans. (by omission of the prep.) To come close to, approach closely. Used like prec.
1789–96Morse Amer. Geog. I. 34 As the telescope approximates perfection. 1793Rennel in Phil. Trans. LXXXIII. 190 Having no time keeper on board, we..can only approximate our longitude. 1794Sullivan View Nat. I. 100 But, we may yet approximate..a certainty that is demonstrative. 1848W. Grove Contrib. Sc. 348 Olefiant gas, which closely approximates air. 1883Pall Mall G. 17 July 4/2 Rentals approximating {pstlg}4,000 per annum. |