[f. prec. vb.; cf. mod.Fr. approche, 16th c. in Littré.]
1. The act of coming nearer (relatively), or of drawing near (absolutely), in space.
c. 1555. R. Morice, in Strype, Eccl. Mem., III. I. xxviii. 233. The Bishop… entered into the University church … whose approach being honorable, Latymer … surceased from farther speaking.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., II. i. 81. Nauar had notice of your faire approach.
1696. Whiston, Th. Earth, II. (1722), 180. The approach of a Comet to the Earth.
1736. Butler, Anal., I. ii. 52. The destruction of our bodies … upon too near approaches to fire.
1859. Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, 9. Casson’s thoughts were diverted by the approach of the horseman.
† 2. Nearer advance of an enemy; offensive or hostile movement. Obs.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of Armes, I. xxv. 80. Or euer thou make eny approche vpon thin enemies.
1607. Shaks., Timon, V. i. 167. So soone we shall driue backe Of Alcibiades th’ approaches wild.
1652. Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 229. Intercept the provision and supplies of their Enemies Shipping, and by diligent watchfulness discover their approaches.
3. pl. Movements towards the establishment of personal relations with one; advances.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 22. Thy timorous and weake approaches toward his grace.
1654. Gayton, Fest. Notes, III. vi. 109. What Approaches, Smiles, Shrugs, Habits, are … requirable from them!
1678. H. Vaughan, Thal. Rediv. (1858), 234. I note their coarse and proud approaches, Their silks, perfumes, and glittering coaches.
1681. Baxter, Apol. Nonconf. Min., 4. Concessions and approaches.
1805. Foster, Ess., I. ii. 24. Repel the approaches of sleep.
4. Power of approaching, access. arch.
1563. Grafton, Chron., Mary an. 3, II. 559 (R.). The french men had the more easie approche to the Castell.
1625. Bacon, Ess. (Arb.), 228 (J.). Honour hath three things in it; The vantage ground to doe good; The approach to Kings and principall persons; And the raising of a mans owne Fortunes.
1713. Swift, Cadenus & V., Wks. 1755, III. II. 17. The learned met with free approach.
1726. Gay, Fables, I. xvi. 15. Rais’d again from low approach, She visits in the doctor’s coach.
5. A means or way of approach; an access, passage, avenue. Also fig.
1633. G. Herbert, Dulnesse, v. in Temple, 108. Where are my lines then? my approaches? views?
1790. Cowper, Odyss., VII. 109. Mastiffs in gold and silver lined the approach.
1878. F. Williams, Mid. Railw., 344. In the station and its approaches some 60,000,000 of bricks … have been employed.
6. A drawing near in time or circumstantial relation.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., III. iii. 6. Where death’s approach is seene so terrible.
1659. Hammond, On Ps., Pref. 21. At their next approaches to that part of the office.
1704. Pope, Autumn, 97. Thus sung the shepherds till th’ approach of night.
1878. Seeley, Stein, III. 375. Signs of the approach of an intense reaction in Prussia.
7. A coming near in quality, or character; approximation.
1750. Johnson, Rambl., No. 81. § 1. Questions … discussed without any approach to decision.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., I. 166. Some sort of approach towards infinity.
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xii. 204. A type of cities to which England … can present but feeble approaches.
1881. Guillemard, Lett., in Life Maxwell, xiii. (1882), 414. I never … heard an approach to a murmur.
† 8. A drawing near in reckoning; an approximation. Obs.
1672. Petty, Pol. Anat. (1691), 51. By the best Estimates and Approaches that I have been able to make … London is more healthful than Dublin by 3 in 32.
9. Mil. in pl. Entrenchments or other works whereby the besiegers draw closer to the besieged.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., xvi. (1821), 387. That … wee might the better make our neerer Approaches.
1710. Lond. Gaz., mmmmdclxxxvii/2. We have advanced our Approaches to the first Ditch.
1834. Penny Cycl., II. 195/2. These approaches sometimes consist of covering masses only, formed either with earth in bags, with fascines, stuffed gabions, wool-packs, or bales of cotton.
b. fig.
1847. Tennyson, Princ., III. 267. Oh if our end were less achievable By slow approaches.
1869. Goulburn, Purs. Holiness, vi. 52. Nature says that approaches must be thrown up by prayers and fastings, and ordinances, before we can come at the footstool of an offended God.
10. Hort. The bringing of the branch of one tree close to that of another on which it is to be grafted, in the method called ablactation or inarching.
1658. Evelyn, Fr. Gard. (1675), 87. Either inoculate or graff them by approach.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Grafting, All Pear-trees may be grafted by Way of Escutcheon, Slit, Crown, or Approach.
1838. Penny Cycl., XI. 342/2. Inarching … is sometimes called grafting by approach.
