early 15c., approximacioun, "act of coming near or close," noun of action from approximate (v.). The meaning "result of approximating" is from 1650s.
Entries linking to approximation
approximate v.
early 15c., "to bring or put close," from Late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare "to come near to," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + proximare "come near," from proximus "nearest," superlative of prope "near" (see propinquity). Intransitive meaning "to come close" is from 1789. Related: Approximated; approximating.