Word of the Day: Propinquity

Propinquity is often mistaken for proximity, which just happens to be an approximate (i.e. closely-approaching) synonym. But propinquity is a lot more than that – propinquity is reserved for entities which by virtue of their physical closeness exert special influence over each other or develop other emergent properties as a consequence of association. Probably the easiest way to describe it is interactive nearness which leads to more intensive relationships.

This is applicable to groups such as army units, classes in a school, people who work on the same floor, and army units who take the same classes together and work on the same floor in the same building in the same camp.

Where does this odd-looking word come from, though?

It comes from the Latin prope- ('near') and -inquus ('having the property of residence or tenancy'). It thus literarily means, 'having the property of being a near neighbour'.

Proximity, from the superlative form of prope- (i.e. proximitas), just means 'very near' in terms of distance. It carries no other properties implying a relationship. Two non-interacting bodies can be very close; these would have proximity but not propinquity.

In modern usage, propinquity has picked up connotations that go beyond relationships in general, first implying the existence of social relationships and then narrowing this down to a sexual or possibly-sexual relationship. This sets the stage for administrators to advise officers: "Maintain proximity to clients, but beware of propinquity either real or assumed."

Perhaps the next WotD should therefore be the Greek prophylaxis.