Definition of: approximate

(ə·prok′sə·mit) adjective
1. Nearly, but not exactly, accurate or complete.
2. Near.
—v. (ə·prok′sə·māt) ·mat·ed, ·mat·ing v.t.
1. To bring close to or cause to approach closely, as in time, space, or condition, without exact coincidence.
2. Math. To calculate a value progressively closer to exactitude: to approximate the square root of 6.
—v.i.
3. To come near or close; be similar; That watch isn't the same as mine, but it approximates. [ <L approximatus, pp. of approximare come near < ad- to + proximus, superl. of prope near]
—ap·prox′i·mate·ly adjective