King James Bible Dictionary

APPROACH, verb intransitive [The Latin proximus contains the root, but the word, in the positive degree, is not found in the Latin. It is from a root in class Brg, signifying to drive, move, or press toward.]

1. To come or go near, in place; to draw near; to advance nearer.

Wherefore approached ye so nigh the city? 2 Samuel 11:20.

2. To draw near in time.

And so much the more as ye see the day approac. Hebrews 10:1.

3. To draw near, in a figurative sense; to advance near to a point aimed at, in science, literature, government, morals, etc.; to approximate; as, he approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.

4. To draw near in duty, as in prayer or worship.

They take delight in approaching to God. Isiah. 51.

APPROACH, verb transitive

1. To come near to; as, Pope approaches Virgil in smoothness of versification. This use of the word is elliptical, to being omitted, so that the verb can hardly be said to be transitive. The old use of the word, as 'approach the hand to the handle, ' is not legitimate.

2. To have access carnally. Leviticus 18:6.

3. In gardening, to ingraft a sprig or shoot of one tree into another, without cutting it from the parent stock.

APPROACH, n

1. The act of drawing near; a coming or advancing near; as, he was aprised of the enemy's approach

2. Access; as, the approach to kings.

3. In fortification, not only the advances of an army are called approaches, but the works thrown up by the beseigers, to protect them in their advances towards a fortress.

APPROACHABLE, adjective That may be approached; accessible.

APPROACHER, noun One who approaches or draws near.

APPROACHING, participle present tense Drawing nearer; advancing nearer.

APPROACHMENT, noun The act of coming near. [Little used.]