All 3 Uses of
approach
in
The Merchant of Venice
- If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach;
Scene 1.2 *approach = coming near
- Approach; Here dwells my father Jew.
Scene 2.6approach = come near
- Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th' approaching of his lord;
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;
To wit,—besides commends and courteous breath,
Gifts of rich value.Scene 2.9approaching = coming
Definitions:
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(1)
(approach as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
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(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.