PROXEMICS

PRONUNCIATION: (prok-SEE-miks)

MEANING: noun: The study of physical proximity between people, for example, typical space between two friends.

ETYMOLOGY: Coined by the anthropologist Edward T. Hall (1914-2009). From proximity (nearness), from French proximité from Latin proximitas, from proximus (nearest), superlative of prope (near). Ultimately from the Indo-European root per- (forward, through), which also gave us paramount, prime, proton, prow, probity, German Frau (woman), and Hindi purana (old). Earliest documented use: 1963.
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PROLEMICS - how to deliver long tiresome screeds in favor of something

PROTEMICS - procedure whereby VPOTUS presides over the Senate

PAROXEMICS - the study of spasms