"close proximity"

Posted by ESC on October 03, 2003

In Reply to: "Close proximity" posted by janes_kid on October 03, 2003

: In the US we often hear "close proximity". The media and other reports attempting to appear serious often use "close proximity". It appears to mean close or near. Questions: are the two words together a bit redundant? Is this just a US thing? Does one ever recall hearing "distant proximity" or "intermediate proximity"?

I believe "nearby" would be a better choice of words. From these Merriam Webster entries, it looks like you're right about redundancy:

Main Entry: prox·im·i·ty
Pronunciation: präk-'si-m&-tE
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French proximité, from Latin proximitat-, proximitas, from proximus
Date: 15th century
: the quality or state of being proximate : CLOSENESS

Main Entry: prox·i·mate
Pronunciation: 'präk-s&-m&t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare to approach, from proximus nearest, next, superlative of prope near -- more at APPROACH
Date: 1661
1 : immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects)
2 a : very near : CLOSE b : soon forthcoming : IMMINENT

• "Close proximity" ESC 03/October/03
  • "Close proximity" janes_kid 03/October/03
    • "Close proximity" masakim 03/October/03
      • "Close proximity" James Briggs 04/October/03
        • Hunter 07/October/03
        • "Close proximity" Lotg 04/October/03
          • May have been a bit rash!!! Lotg 04/October/03
            • May have been a bit rash!!! and skin rash janes_kid 04/October/03