[ad. L. vīcīnitās, f. vīcīn-us: see prec. and -ITY. So It. vicinità, Sp. vecindad.]
1. The state, character or quality of being near in space; propinquity, proximity.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 12 b. For the Frenchmen come of the same offspringe that we do…: and for the vicinitie therof are very necessary for the Italians and us.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, V. § 4. 275. The vicinitie also of the evill moveth much, for dangers afarre off we little esteeme.
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., III. 169. The third is ‘to feed, and eate together.’ Another degree of vicinity, and neerenesse.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 226. The most unhealthy of these [winds] are the South-East, for that then the Air is thicker, by reason of the Seas Vicinity.
1727. Swift, St. Irel., Wks. 1755, V. II. 166. The abundance and vicinity of country seats.
a. 1774. Goldsm., Hist. Greece, I. 105. But the Athenians were not to be intimidated by any vicinity of danger.
1825. Scott, Betrothed, xix. The Constable alleged the vicinity of the Welsh, as what might possibly again render the abode of his betrothed bride … perilous.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. II. 102. He had forgotten that vicinity operates in more ways than one.
1892. Photogr. Ann., II. 247. Under these conditions all vicinity of watercourses, unless bridged, should be avoided.
b. Const. to, with.
1651. Baxter, Lett. to Church at Bewdley, 10. That we may enjoy the comfort of unity … according to our vicinity with you on Earth.
1681. Rycaut, trans. Gracian’s Critick, 23. All those Epithets of changeable, defective,… and the like, are … derived from her too near vicinity with the Earth.
1781. Cowper, Heroism, 52. Ill-fated race! how deeply must they rue Their only crime, vicinity to you!
1836–7. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Scenes, xxv. How much more awful is it to reflect on this near vicinity to the dying!
1858. J. Martineau, Stud. Chr., 206. This vicinity to the great capital drew him, however, into a wider circle of duties.
† 2. Nearness in degree or quality; close relationship or connection; resemblance, likeness. Obs.
1594. West, 2nd Pt. Symbol., Chancerie, § 145. Unto whom your said Oratrices husband, for the vicinity of bloud, and abilitie of substance, was bolder to make his mone for helpe.
1599. Broughton’s Lett., xii. 42. Speeches farre more differing from any vicinitie to prophanenes then this of yours.
1614. W. B., Philosopher’s Banquet (ed. 2), 51. The vicinity with mans nature it hath.
1642. Jer. Taylor, Episc. (1647), 281. An honorary, and extraordinary priviledge indulged to them for their vicinity and relation to our Blessed Lord the fountaine of all benison to us.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. iii. (1677), 83. There is a vicinity between Agents and Patients.
3. = VICINAGE 1.
1781. T. Jefferson, Corr., Wks. 1859, I. 293. Lord Cornwallis had advanced to the vicinities of the Moravian towns. Ibid. (1789), III. 26. The progress of light … has equalled expectation in Paris only and its vicinities.
1835. I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., iv. 173. That … tendency of things, which places the clergy of a vicinity in opposition the one to the other.
1843. Lytton, Last Bar., I. viii. It commanded a full view of the vicinity without.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xi. 75. We were glad … to escape the vicinity of that ugly crevasse.
1875. Helps, Soc. Press., iii. 41. That might gradually have the effect of removing all noxious trades from London and its vicinity.
4. In the vicinity (of), in the neighborhood (of), near or close (to). (Cf. VICINAGE 1 b and 3.)
(a) 1796. H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), II. 229. It would most probably have in it’s vicinity, the tree which Nature designed should contrast with it in the same site.
1820. W. Irving, Sketch Bk., I. 121. The merchant has his snug retreat in the vicinity of the metropolis.
1840. Hood, Up Rhine, 161. The extraordinary transparency of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the Rhine.
1864. Trevelyan, Compet. Wallah (1866), 185. Amidst the park-like undulating scenery in the vicinity of the town.
1891. Science-Gossip, XXVII. 14/1. During a severe storm in that year the Port Glasgow ship ‘Marseilles’ capsized in the vicinity of Portpatrick.
(b) 1827. Faraday, Chem. Manip., xviii. (1842), 479. The minute hole … may be obliterated by a little pressure towards it upon the lute in the immediate vicinity.
1843. Lytton, Last Bar., III. v. A young man of low stature … slowly approaching towards the arch, and every cap in the vicinity was off, and every knee bowed.
b. With similar sense in other constructions. Also transf., something near to (a specified amount, etc.).
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. iv. 145. A detachment of grenadiers were very expeditiously quitting the vicinity of danger.
1901. Proc. New-Eng. Hist. Geneal. Soc., 9 Jan. p. xvi. Raising the extra cost of that number of the Annual Proceedings to the vicinity of one hundred dollars.
