Please enable javascript to see: All 7 uses | The time approaches, – approaches = gets near – p.175.8 | Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, – Approach = come near – p.107.2 | Appr...

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All 7 Uses of

approach
in
Macbeth

I'll be myself the harbinger, and make joyful
The hearing of my wife with your approach.
p. 29.5

approach = coming

editor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "I will go ahead and tell everyone you're coming. My wife will feel joy when she hears of it."

Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight
With a new Gorgon.
p. 67.1

approach = go toward

editor's notes: This could be paraphrase as: "Go to the chamber and blind yourself by witnessing a new horror, like seeing a Gorgon."

Gorgon refers to one of three sisters in Greek mythology with snakes for hair. Seeing a "new Gorgon" is portrayed as so horrifying that it would metaphorically "destroy your sight."

Now spurs the lated traveller apace,
To gain the timely inn, and near approaches
The subject of our watch.
p. 97.1

approaches = coming near

editor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "Now the delayed traveler hurries quickly to reach the inn before it’s too late, and coming near is the one we are watching for."

Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
p. 107.2

approach = come near

I doubt some danger does approach you nearly.
p. 137.5

approach = come

editor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "I fear that some danger is coming very close to you."

Note that the word doubt, is used in an archaic sense meaning to suspect, fear, or anticipate.

Whither, indeed, before thy here-approach,
p. 147.9

approach = came

editor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "Indeed, where, before you arrived here,"

The time approaches,
p. 175.8 *

approaches = gets near

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Best Example Sentences
From Other Sources
Grouped by 3 Meanings

Definitions:

(1) (approach as in: approached the city)
to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
(2) (approach as in: use the best approach)
a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
(3) (approach as in: approached her with the proposal)
to begin communication with someone about something -- often a proposal or a delicate topic
(4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
meaning too rare to warrant focus:

More rarely (and typically only in classic literature), the phrase nearest approach to as used in "her nearest approach to an apology" or "her nearest approach to a smile" typically means that "something is as close to something else as it ever gets." "As near an approach to" can have a similar meaning.