Approach, n.
Etymology: [Cf. F. approche. See Approach, v. i.]
1. The act of drawing near; a coming or advancing near. "The approach of summer." Horsley. A nearer approach to the human type. Owen.
2. A access, or opportunity of drawing near. The approach to kings and principal persons. Bacon.
3. pl.
Movements to gain favor; advances.
5 more senses
4. A way, passage, or avenue by which a place or buildings can be approached; an access. Macaulay.
5. pl. (Fort.)
The advanced works, trenches, or covered roads made by besiegers in their advances toward a fortress or military post.
6. (Hort.)
See Approaching.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Approach, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Approached; p. pr. & vb. n. Approaching.]
1. To come or go near, in place or time; to draw nigh; to advance nearer. Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city 2 Sam. xi. 20. But exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x. 25.
2. To draw near, in a figurative sense; to make advances; to approximate; as, he approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.
Approach, v. t.
1. To bring near; to cause to draw near; to advance. [Archaic] Boyle.
2. To come near to in place, time, or character; to draw nearer to; as, to approach the city; to approach my cabin; he approached the age of manhood. He was an admirable poet, and thought even to have approached Homer. Temple.
3. (Mil.)
To take approaches to.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for approach; he lists it under address, approximation, entrance.
Where he writes about it:
Approach is a relative term, indicating that one has come nearer than before, tho the distance may yet be considerable; an approximation brings one really near. — from approximation
Nearness, neighborhood, and propinquity are commonly used of place; approximation, of mathematical calculations and abstract reasoning; we speak of approach to the shore, nearness to the town, approximation to the truth. — from approximation
Approach is a movement toward another; access is coming all the way to his presence, recognition, and consideration. — from entrance