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.

Analysis \A*nal"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Analyses}. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to
   unloose, to dissolve, to resolve into its elements; ? up + ?
   to loose. See {Loose}.]
   1. A resolution of anything, whether an object of the senses
      or of the intellect, into its constituent or original
      elements; an examination of the component parts of a
      subject, each separately, as the words which compose a
      sentence, the tones of a tune, or the simple propositions
      which enter into an argument. It is opposed to
      {synthesis}.

   2. (Chem.) The separation of a compound substance, by
      chemical processes, into its constituents, with a view to
      ascertain either (a) what elements it contains, or (b) how
      much of each element is present. The former is called
      {qualitative}, and the latter {quantitative analysis}.

   3. (Logic) The tracing of things to their source, and the
      resolving of knowledge into its original principles.

   4. (Math.) The resolving of problems by reducing the
      conditions that are in them to equations.

   5.
      (a) A syllabus, or table of the principal heads of a
          discourse, disposed in their natural order.
      (b) A brief, methodical illustration of the principles of
          a science. In this sense it is nearly synonymous with
          synopsis.

   6. (Nat. Hist.) The process of ascertaining the name of a
      species, or its place in a system of classification, by
      means of an analytical table or key.

   {Ultimate}, {Proximate}, {Qualitative}, {Quantitative}, and
   {Volumetric analysis}. (Chem.) See under {Ultimate},
      {Proximate}, {Qualitative}, etc.

Source : WordNet®

proximate
     adj 1: closest in degree or order (space or time) especially in a
            chain of causes and effects; "news of his proximate
            arrival"; "interest in proximate rather than ultimate
            goals" [ant: {ultimate}]
     2: very close in space or time; "proximate words"; "proximate
        houses"