Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Proximate \Prox"i*mate\, a. [L. proximatus, p. p. of proximare
   to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest,
   superl. of propior nearer, and prope, adv., near.]
   Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. ``Proximate
   ancestors.'' --J. S. Harford.

         The proximate natural causes of it [the deluge]. --T.
                                                  Burnet.

   {Proximate analysis} (Chem.), an analysis which determines
      the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted
      with an ultimate analysis.

   {Proximate cause}.
   (a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the
       effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate, or
       predisposing cause. --I. Watts.
   (b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a
       specific result, no independent disturbing agencies
       intervening.

   {Proximate principle} (Physiol. Chem.), one of a class of
      bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable
      tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin,
      sugar, collagen, fat, etc.

   Syn: Nearest; next; closest; immediate; direct.

Cause \Cause\ (k[add]z), n. [F. cause, fr. L. causa. Cf.
   {Cause}, v., {Kickshaw}.]
   1. That which produces or effects a result; that from which
      anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.

            Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to
            make one thing begin to be.           --Locke.

   2. That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground;
      reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.

   3. Sake; interest; advantage. [Obs.]

            I did it not for his cause.           --2 Cor. vii.
                                                  12.

   4. (Law) A suit or action in court; any legal process by
      which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he
      regards as his right; case; ground of action.

   5. Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question;
      affair in general.

            What counsel give you in this weighty cause! --Shak.

   6. The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and
      upheld by a person or party; a principle which is
      advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.

            God befriend us, as our cause is just. --Shak.

            The part they take against me is from zeal to the
            cause.                                --Burke.

   {Efficient cause}, the agent or force that produces a change
      or result.

   {Final cause}, the end, design, or object, for which anything
      is done.

   {Formal cause}, the elements of a conception which make the
      conception or the thing conceived to be what it is; or the
      idea viewed as a formative principle and co["o]perating
      with the matter.

   {Material cause}, that of which anything is made.

   {Proximate cause}. See under {Proximate}.

   {To make common cause with}, to join with in purposes and
      aims. --Macaulay.

   Syn: Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason; incitement;
        inducement; purpose; object; suit; action.