maximum
pronunciation
How to pronounce maximum in British English:
UK [ˈmæksɪməm]
How to pronounce maximum in American English:
US [ˈmæksɪməm]
-
- Noun:
- the largest possible quantity
- the greatest possible degree
- the point on a curve where the tangent changes from positive on the left to negative on the right
-
- Adjective:
- the greatest or most complete or best possible
Word Origin
- maximum
- maximum: [18] Maximum was adopted, via French, from maximum, the neuter form of Latin maximus ‘largest’. This was the superlative of magnus ‘large’ (source of English magnitude, magnum, etc). From the same ultimate source comes maxim [15], which goes back via French maxime to Latin maxima. This was short for maxima prōpositio ‘largest proposition’, a term used in medieval philosophy for a ‘fundamental axiom’.=> magnitude, magnum, maxim
- maximum (n.)
- 1740, from French maximum and directly from Latin maximum (plural maxima), neuter of maximus "greatest," which is superlative of magnus "great, large" (see magnum).
- maximum (adj.)
- 1834, from maximum (n.).