[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. Drawing near, in space, time or circumstance.
c. 1450. Court of Love, vii. Whan I was young, at eighteen yere of age … Approaching on ful sad and ripe corage.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, Pref. 5. These approaching times.
1610. Shaks., Temp., V. i. 80. The approching tide Will shortly fill the reasonable shore.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 537. Preparations for the approaching campaign.
† 2. Lying near, in proximity, neighboring. Obs.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, IV. 317. Ane plebeane sall nocht have his hous approcheand to ane patriciane.
1598. Florio, Approssimante, approching, neighbouring.
3. Coming near in quality or character.
1874. Black, Pr. Thule, 35. Not that he fell in love with her sight, or anything even approaching to that.
