extremeadj.adv.n.
/ᵻkˈstriːm/, /ɛkˈstriːm/, U.S. /ɪkˈstrim/, /ɛkˈstrim/ A. adj.
1.
a. Outermost, farthest from the centre (of any area); endmost, situated at either of the ends (of a line, series, or scale: opposed to mean). extreme parts (of the body): the ‘extremities’, hands, feet, fingers, toes, etc. (obsolete or archaic).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > [adjective] > outermost
utmostc950
outmosta1382
outerestc1392
uttermost1398
extremal1447
utteresta1492
extreme1503
uppermost1548
outermost1587
outwardmost1598
extimate1659
1503 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 24 Chichester is in the extream Part of the..Shire.
1557 R. Record Whetstone of Witte sig. Diii Beginnyng with the two extremeste [nombers] that is .2. and .30. thei will by multiplicacion make .60.
1683 W. Salmon Doron Medicum i. 32 [Hermodacts] purges Flegm by stool from the extream parts.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. xiii. 281 The fruitful continent's extreamest bound.
1748 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage I. 165 The principal Care required being as to the extreme Parts, as to the Feet and Legs, Arms and Hands.
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics x. 89 The refrangibility of the extreme invisible ray which possessed the power of heating.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xvii. 72 These two extreme points of his province..Hereford on the West and Norwich on the East.
b. Mathematics. extreme and mean ratio (or †proportion): = Greek ἀκρὸς καὶ μέσος λόγος (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. vi. f. 153v A right line is sayd to be deuided by an extreme and meane proportion, when the whole is to the greater part, as the greater part is to the lesse.
1827 O. Gregory Hutton's Course Math. (ed. 9) I. 370 Let A B be the given line to be divided in extreme and mean ratio.
c. Bell-ringing. extreme bells, extreme change: (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1671 Tintinnalogia 8 On four Bells, there are Twenty four several Changes, in Ringing of which, there is one Bell called the Hunt and the other three are Extream Bells.
1677 F. Stedman Campanalogia 55 The extream changes may be made two ways, viz. either betwixt the two farthest extream bells from the hunt, or else betwixt the two nearest extream bells to it.
2. Farthest, or very far advanced in any direction; utmost, uttermost.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adjective] > most distant or remotest
utterestc1200
lastc1225
furthestc1374
farthest1377
lattera1382
outmosta1382
outerestc1392
uttermost1398
yondermest1513
farmost1581
hindmost1596
yondmost1608
extremea1616
farthermost1619
furthermost1765
endermost1803
ultimate1848
endmost1879
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. i. 42 The hairie foole..Stood on th' extremest verge of the swift brooke. View more context for this quotation
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 250 Miseno's Cape, and Bauli last he view'd, That on the Sea's extreamest Borders stood.
1774 J. Bryant New Syst. (new ed.) I. p. vi Colonies..are to be found in the most extream parts of the east.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 92 From th' extremest point, Of elevation down into th' abyss.
1860 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) II. v. 273 The extreme point supposed to have been reached.
1882 R. A. Proctor Familiar Sci. Stud. 2 The extremest possible range of Telescopic vision.
3. Last, latest. Obsolete or archaic, except in extreme unction, in the Roman Catholic Church, ‘a sacrament in which the sick in danger of death are anointed by a priest for the health of soul and body, the anointing being accompanied by a set form of words’ ( Catholic Dict.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adjective] > last in order
latemostOE
nextOE
aftermostOE
latestOE
lastc1175
outmost1447
terminalc1475
extreme1477
hindmost1526
final1530
lag1552
uttermosta1555
darrein1555
utter1558
lattermost1566
afterward1584
dernier1602
ultime1626
ultimate1728
postreme1814
society > faith > worship > sacrament > (extreme) unction > [noun] > of the sick or dying
last elingc1315
anelingc1350
last anointing1357
extreme unction1477
the Anointing of the Sick1575
last rites1594
chrism1635
the last sacraments1760
the sacrament of the sick1972
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 112 The extreme draughtes of deth.
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. xxviii. sig. k.iv The extreme day.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. ii. f. 10 The daie of extreme iugement.
1579 W. Fulke Refut. Rastels Confut. in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 795 Other writers, ascribe the institution of this extreame unction to Felix the fourth.
1669 W. Penn No Cross, No Crown viii. §8 The extream Moments of Life.
1821 P. B. Shelley Adonais vi. 9 Thy extreme hope, the loveliest and the last.
1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost i. 17 Those who upon a dying bed receive the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
4. Going to great lengths; opposed to moderate.† f. Of material agents, influences, etc.: Effective in the utmost degree; exceedingly intense or powerful in operation. Obsolete.
a. Of a quality, condition, or feeling: Existing in the utmost possible degree, or in an exceedingly high degree; exceedingly great or intense.The phrase extreme old age is apprehended as belonging to this sense, though in the original Latin extrema senectus the adjective has the sense A. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > very great or extreme
strangec1380
overpassinga1382
passinga1387
most?c1430
extremec1460
horriblea1464
violenta1500
mainc1540
immortal?c1550
exquisite1552
sore1555
three-piled1598
thundering1618
devilish1639
shrewda1643
deadly1660
woundy1681
vast1696
monstrous1711
mortal1716
terrific1743
hell-fired1754
hellish1764
colossal1794
severe1805
awful1818
all-fired1829
terrible1829
quare and1847
ferocious1877
pluperfect1889
raging1889
giddy1896
utter1898
stiff1905
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1714) 22 Lyvyn in the most extreme Povertie.
a1530 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) iii. f. CCvv The moost extreme paynes.
1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle xii. sig. Fviv He hymself lyeth not in anye suche extreme necessite.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 95 Winter colds, and..the parching Sunne..which in their seasons are there extreame.
a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 125 It is the extremest Madness in the World.
1710 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1886) II. 348 Having an extream desire to be a Bp.
1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 345 With the Day Reflection return'd, sharpen'd with the extreamest Hunger.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 307 Their surprise at his escape was therefore extreme.
1869 W. E. Gladstone Juventus Mundi x. §1 388 The extremest degree of guilt.
1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon II. 66 He knew that he was in extreme peril.
b. Of a case, circumstance, supposition: Presenting in the utmost degree some particular characteristic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > very great or extreme > presenting characteristic in the utmost degree
extreme1597
mad1941
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. ix. 16 Cases of necessitie being sometime but vrgent, sometime extreme.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) IV. 24 The nature of anything is best known from the examination of extreme cases.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. lx. 427 Party loyalty [is] strong enough..in all but extreme cases.
c. Of actions, measures, etc.: Severe or violent in the utmost degree, or in an exceedingly great degree; stringent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > [adjective] > extreme
extreme1512
high-flyinga1586
lavish1693
ultra1818
ultrageous1823
ultraistic1840
1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII c. 20 Preamble Theire adherentes made extreme resistens.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxii. 256 The doloures wepynges & teeres that they made were so extreme.
1538 Bale God's Promises iii, in W. C. Hazlitt Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1874) I. 297 Neither kindness nor extreme handling can Make him to know me.
1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. i. iv. 275 Moderate exercise strengthens, extreame destroyes nature.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iii. vi. 54 To kill, I grant, is sinnes extreamest Gust. View more context for this quotation
1685 J. Dryden Threnodia Augustalis v. 9 Th' extreamest ways they first ordain.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. vii. 130 Having been driven to so extreme a measure against his will.
1888 A. K. Green Behind Closed Doors ii. 11 We never anticipated her taking any such extreme action as this.
d. Of opinions, fashions, etc.: Going to the utmost extent; exceeding the limits of moderation.
ΚΠ
1876 J. Saunders Lion in Path xi A lady, dressed in the extremest fashion of the time.
1878 J. Morley Carlyle in Crit. Misc. 1st Ser. 200 Holding one or other of the rival creeds in its most extreme, exclusive and intolerant form.
e. Of persons: Going to great lengths in any action, habit, disposition, or opinion; very ‘pronounced’. In early use often: †Strict, severe, harsh. Now chiefly with reference to opinions.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > strictness > [adjective] > strict or severe (of measures)
extreme?1531
round1587
strong1733
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye ii. sig. f3 Ye extreme enemies of god.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. N.vj He shewed hymselfe as bolde in wordes, as extreme and base in his array.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxxix. 3 Yf thou (Lorde) wilt be extreme to marcke what is done amysse.
1594 W. West Symbolæogr.: 2nd Pt. ii. Chancerie §139 A. B. accompted of him as of a verie extreame man.
1602 W. S. True Chron. Hist. Ld. Cromwell sig. G2 Gardiner is the cause makes Cromwell so extreame.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iv. iv. 10 Be not as extreme in submission, as in offence. View more context for this quotation
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 197 The greatest part are Heathens and extreme Idolaters.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 380 In conversation frivolous, in dress Extreme.
1860 W. F. Hook Lives Archbishops Canterbury (1869) I. i. 2 A Master who is not extreme to mark what is done amiss.
1889 Spectator 28 Dec. 917/1 There will be a natural tendency in men who have this note of distinction to be..what is called ‘extreme’ men.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > [adjective] > greatly > in the utmost degree
strengestc893
sovereign1377
extreme1595
sovrana1834
1595 Blanchardine & Eglantine 212 Extreame contagion of dangerous sicknes.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion xvi. 252 Those two extreamer Winds from hurting it to let.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 104 Supping a delighted cup of extreame poyson.
1748 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage I. 158 The Wind..began to be extreme, or very intense.
5. Music. † d. Formerly said of a key having more than three sharps or flats. Obsolete.
a. In sense A. 1, as extreme parts, the highest and lowest parts in part music.
ΚΠ
1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 162/1 Extreme sixth, chord of the, a chord of modern growth, so called because the interval of an extreme or augmented sixth is contained in it, either directly or by inversion.
1880 Parry in Grove Dict. Music at Interval The interval of the augmented sixth is indifferently called ‘superfluous’ or ‘extreme sharp’ sixth; and the same terms are applied to the fifth.
Categories »
b. extreme interval: = ‘augmented interval’; see augmented adj. 2d.
Categories »
c. extreme key: a key other than those related keys into which it is usual to modulate.
ΚΠ
a1704 G. Keller Compl. Method Thorough Bass (1707) 3 The extreame sharp 2d is ye same distance as ye flat 3d.
a1704 G. Keller Compl. Method Thorough Bass (1707) 10 The extream sharp second & fourth generaly prepares a Cadence. The fifth & seventh & ye flat fifth & extream flat seventh are generaly the fore runers of a Cadence.
In an extreme degree; = extremely adv. 2; formerly frequent with adjectives, occasional with adverbs, rare with verbs. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly
swithlyc888
micklelyeOE
swith971
hardOE
un-i-fohOE
sevenfoldlOE
unmeet?c1225
innerlyc1330
horribly1340
too1340
sore1474
horriblec1475
vehemently1483
outrageous1487
done?a1513
exquisite1529
strangely1532
exceeding1535
exceedingly1535
angardlyc1540
angerlyc1540
choicec1540
vengeable1542
vengeably?1550
extremelya1554
monstrous1569
thrice1579
amain1587
extremea1591
damnably1598
fellc1600
tyrannically1602
exquisitely1603
damnedly1607
preciously1607
damnablea1616
impensively1620
excellingly1621
main1632
fearful1634
vengeancelya1640
upsy1650
impensely1657
twadding1657
vastly1664
hideous1667
mainly1670
consumed1707
consumedly1707
outrageously1749
damned1757
nation1771
shockingly1777
deuced1779
darn1789
darned1807
felly1807
varsal1814
awful1816
awfy1816
frightfully1816
deucedly1819
dogged1819
awfully1820
gallowsa1823
shocking1831
tremendously1832
everlasting1833
terribly1833
fearfully1835
ripping1838
poison1840
thundering1853
frighteninglyc1854
raring1854
hell's own1863
goldarned1866
goddamned1870
doggone1871
acutely1872
whooping1874
stupidly1878
everlastingly1879
hideously1882
densely1883
storming1883
good and1885
thunderingly1885
crazy1887
tremendous1887
madly1888
goldarn1892
howling1895
murderously1916
rasted1919
goddam1921
bitchingly1923
Christly1923
bitching1929
falling-down1930
lousy1932
appallingly1937
stratospherically1941
Christ almighty1945
effing1945
focking1956
dagnab1961
drop-dead1980
hella1987
totes2006
a1591 H. Smith Gods Arrowe (1593) B iij Except they be extreame vnthankeful and dissolute.
1594 Willobie his Auisa xlv. f. 42v The smothered flame, too closely pent, Burnes more extreame for want of vent.
1636 Earl of Strafford Let. 25 July (1739) II. 22 My Lord Marshal writes extream doubtfully of his Success with the Emperor.
1710 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 53 You have done extreme well in speaking to the Vice-Chancellor.
1796 C. Burney Mem. Life Metastasio II. 5 In the empty and extreme cold theatre.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) I. 270 Articles..of an extreme costly description.
C. n.† 2. † b. in (the, his) extremes: in the last moments or stage of life. Obsolete; = Latin in extremis (which is now often used).
1. quasi-n. The adj. used absol.; only in phrases, in (the) extreme: in an extreme degree, extremely. †to be in extreme: to be at the extreme stage of some state or condition.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > extremely
like mada1375
with a mischief1538
(as) — as anything1542
with a vengeance1568
with a siserary1607
(to be pleased) to a feathera1616
in (the) extremea1616
with the vengeance1693
to a degree1740
like hell1776
like the devil1791
like winky1830
like billy-o1885
(like) seven shades of ——1919
like a bandit1943
on wheels1943
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. ii. 355 Of one..Perplext in the extreame . View more context for this quotation
a1711 T. Ken Sion iii, in Wks. (1721) IV. 390 Fond Love..Is ever in Extreme.
1780 W. Cowper Let. 8 May (1979) I. 339 I am Delighted..in the Extreme.
1790 Norman & Bertha I. 67 Elevated, but not in extreme, by their bacchanalian offering [etc.].
1823 W. Cobbett Rural Rides in Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 13 Sept. 660 The labourers houses..beggarly in the extreme.
1849 G. Grote Hist. Greece V. ii. xlv. 427 This dismissal, ungracious in the extreme..excited..exasperation.
a. n. The utmost point or verge; that which terminates a body; an end, extremity. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > end or extremity > [noun]
endc825
headOE
finea1300
nolla1387
extremityc1400
hinder end?1523
extreme1570
termininea1593
exit1615
outmost1634
terminus1704
knobhead1793
terminal1865
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. i. f. 2 A right lyne is that, whose extremes abiding, cannot be altered.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §749 Most of the hard substances fly to the extreams of the Body.
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall vi. 58 The open extream [of the pipe].
1748 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage I. 28 Their Paddle being double bladed..and the Blades one at each Extreme.
1802 J. Playfair Illustr. Huttonian Theory 304 Plumbago is the extreme of a gradation of which fossil coal is the beginning.
1807 J. Barlow Columbiad i. 48 Far in his vast extremes he swells and thaws.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > dead person or the dead > [adjective] > dying
deadlyc893
swelting?a1400
dyingc1450
at (the) utterance1525
in (the, his) extremes1551
parting1562
Acherontic1597
ending1600
departing1603
on one's last legs1614
expiring1635
mortifying1649
morient1679
upon one's last stretch1680
gasping1681
à la mort1700
moribund1721
outward-bound1809
terminal1854
on the brink of the grave1872
defunctive1929
1551 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 2nd Pt. f. cviiiv As he laye in extremes.
1558 Bp. T. Watson Holsome Doctr. Seuen Sacramentes xxx. 193 Sendynge for theym [Priestes] in the extremes when they can doo them least good.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage ix. iii. 833 In his extremes he vttered these things to his Confessor.
1767 B. Gooch Pract. Treat. Wounds I. 286 A person apparently in extremis, under a fit of the apoplexy.
1820 W. Scott Monastery I. Answ. Introd. Ep. 74 (note) Having sent for a Cameronian clergyman when he was in extremis.]
3.
a. That which occupies a place at either end of anything; one of two things removed as far as possible from each other, in position, nature, or condition. Also in proverb: Extremes meet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [noun] > polarity > pole
extremityc1400
polea1550
extreme1555
counter-pole1839
1555 R. Eden tr. G. F. de Oviedo y Valdés Summarie Gen. Hist. W. Indies in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 175v Not accomptynge the extremes.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxiv. 195 Two extreames of passion, ioy and griefe. View more context for this quotation
1699 Bp. G. Burnet Expos. 39 Articles (1700) xxv. 268 The other Extream that we likewise avoid, is [etc.].
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 18 As the English were very much out of Favour..so the Scots were on the other Extreme with the French.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 3 251 The intermediate space between those extremes.
1816 Ld. Byron Parisina xiv, in Siege of Corinth 80 Now in laughter, now in tears, But madly still in each extreme.
1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk I. xv. 360 Extremes meet..the most furious anarchists have since become the most barefaced apostates.
b. Logic. Each of the extreme terms in a proposition or a syllogism; in a proposition the subject or predicate, as distinguished from the copula; in a syllogism, the major or minor term as distinguished from the middle.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > term of a proposition > [noun] > types of terms in a proposition
concrete?1499
extreme1628
1628 T. Spencer Art of Logick 258 If the last extreame be affirmed of the middle terme, and the middle terme of the first extreame.
1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. v. 62 Extreams are the parts of a Proposition.
1849 Hoblyn Dict. Sci. Terms Extremes. In Logic, the subject and predicate of a proposition are called its extremes or terms.
a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1860) III. xvi. 295 The Major and Minor Terms [of a syllogism] are called Extremes.
c. Mathematics. The first or last term of a ratio, series, or set of numbers. †extremes conjunct and extremes disjunct, terms formerly in use in Spherical Trigonometry (see quot. 1796), for which adjacent parts and opposite parts are now employed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > numerical arrangement > [noun] > set > sequence > series > designating place in
numberc1350
extreme1571
numero1649
infinitesimal1655
No.1753
Z1842
majorant1925
seed1972
1571 T. Digges in L. Digges's Geom. Pract.: Pantometria Defs. sig. T j v When foure magnitudes are..in continual proportion, the first & the fourth are the extremes.
1616 E. Wright tr. J. Napier Descr. Logarithms i. iii. 8 Of the Logarithmes of three proportionals, the double of the second, or middle one, is equall to the summe of the extremes.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Extremes conjunct.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. (new ed.) I. 463 Extremes Conjunct and Extremes Disjunct in Spherical Trigonometry, are the former the two circular parts that lie next the assumed middle part, and the latter the two that lie remote from the middle part.
1806 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 5) I. 115 Subtract the less extreme from the greater.
1859 B. Smith Arith. & Algebra (ed. 6) 432 The terms a and d are called the Extremes.
Categories »
d. Music. the extremes of an interval: the two sounds most distant from each other.
e. Bell-ringing: = ‘extreme change’: see A. 1c.
ΚΠ
1684 R. Howlett School Recreat. 96 You may make your extream at the first, second, or third single Bob.
1702 J. D. & C. M. Campanalogia Improved 20 An Extream is a distinct Change from the rest, and made by the two farthest Extream Bells from the Half-hunt.
4. † b. plural. Extremities, straits, hardships. Obsolete.
a. The utmost imaginable or tolerable degree of anything; a very high degree. Also in phrases in the extreme, to an extreme, to the extreme; in extremes (cf. A. 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun] > quality or fact of being extreme > highest, utmost, or extreme degree
heightOE
perfectiona1398
utterestc1410
uttermosta1425
tiptoec1440
pinnaclec1450
utmost1472
outmostc1535
extremity1543
abyss1548
top1552
furthest, utmost stretch1558
summa summarum1567
superlative1573
strain1576
extreme1595
fine1596
last1602
yondmost1608
super-superlative1623
pitch1624
utmostness1674
pink1720
supreme1817
ultima Thule1828
peak1902
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 iii. ii. 115 And so much more are the wonders in extreames.
a1631 J. Smith True Trav. ii. 47 Here the Proverbe is true that no extreame long continueth.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 23 Avoid Extreams; and shun the Fault of such, Who still are pleas'd too little, or too much.
1715 T. Parnell Ess. Homer 8 in A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I Nor do they [sc. men] equally..bear that human Nature..Should be prais'd in an Extream without opposition.
1777 E. Burke Let. to Sheriffs Bristol 57 The extreme of liberty..obtains no where.
1791 J. Lackington Mem. (1792) 228 She was enthusiastical to an extreme.
1846 Pope's Jrnl. Trade 109 A climate subject to great extremes.
1846 W. Greener Sci. Gunnery (new ed.) 117 Twisted..to such an extreme as to resemble the threads of a very fine screw.
1858 R. W. Emerson Persian Poetry in Wks. (1906) III. 237 Life in the East is fierce, short, hazardous, and in extremes.
1883 F. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius ii He was..dressed in the extreme of the English fashion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [noun] > difficult state of things > predicament or straits
needfulnessc1350
kankedortc1374
pressc1375
needfultya1382
briguec1400
brikec1400
plightc1400
taking?c1425
partyc1440
distrait1477
brakea1529
hot water1537
strait1544
extremes1547
pickle1562
praemunire1595
lock1598
angustiae1653
difficulty1667
scrape1709
premune1758
hole1760
Queer Street1811
warm water1813
strift1815
fix1816
plisky1818
snapper1818
amplush1827
false position1830
bind1851
jackpot1887
tight1896
squeeze1905
jam1914
1547 W. Paget Let. 2 Mar. in Tytler Edw. VI (1839) I. 24 I neuer loued extreams.
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido i. i. 196 Lighten our Extremes with this one boon.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 25 The Sea-men fell into great extreames.
1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour iv. iii. 45 What now remains in these extreams?
5. An excessive degree; a ‘very great length’, in phrases to break to an extreme, to carry to an extreme, to run to an extreme; also, something carried to excess, an extreme measure, a desperate step.
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the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [noun] > excessive degree
extreme1592
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > exaggerate [verb (intransitive)] > in action
overdoa1325
to break to an extreme1592
overact1631
to fly high (or a high pitch)1655
outgrabe1855
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. H2 If I prooue Playes to be no extreame.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iii. i. 214 Doe not breake into these deepe extreames . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 6 My gracious Lord, To chide at your extreames, it not becomes me. View more context for this quotation
1752 E. Young Brothers iv. i On what Extremes extreme distress impels me?
1789 W. Belsham Ess. I. xii. 217 This would be running into a very absurd extreme.
1804 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 12 329 The antiphlogistic regimen, carried into extremes..have been the causes.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Life's Secret xi. 88/1 I never thought the masters would go to the extreme of a lock-out.
Draft additions October 2021
extreme weather n. weather that is very harsh, unseasonal, or atypical for a particular region, (now) especially when attributed to the effects of climate change.Examples of extreme weather can include prolonged heatwaves, more severe winters, violent storms, flooding, and droughts.
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the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > [noun] > kinds of weather
weathersa900
extreme weather1576
1576 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (rev. ed.) I. 306/2 By sea might he not passe nor trauayle, by meanes of the extreme weather and tempest.
1670 L. Meager Eng. Gardener 181 Cover your Bed or Beds when extream weather comes, as Frosts, Snow, or much Rain.
1796 J. Plaw Ferme ornée 4 It will protect from cold or heat in extreme weather.
1878 Savannah (Georgia) Morning News 3 Jan. The buds on the fruit trees are..liable to be killed by extreme weather should such succeed the long-continued mildness.
1970 Commonw. Forestry Rev. Mar. 78 Increased costs resulting from random events such as extreme weather, insect damage, fire damage, etc., would be ignored.
2014 Atlantic Dec. 40/2 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched a giant, federally funded competition called Rebuild by Design, aimed at protecting areas battered by Sandy from future extreme weather.
Draft additions July 2002
Sport (originally North American). Designating or relating to (a version of) a sport or pastime performed in a hazardous environment or involving great physical risk; esp. in extreme sport. Also: participating in such a sport or pastime.
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society > leisure > sport > [adjective] > specific quality
loose1802
extreme1974
1974 R. Messner 7th Grade: Most Extreme Climbing 17 As technique improved, difficulties were overcome and every Alpine face was conquered; the extreme climbers..became non-competitive.
1989 Skiing Trade News (Nexis) Mar. 112 ‘Extreme’ sports like snowboarding, windsurfing, and heliskiing.
1995 Independent on Sunday 13 Aug. (Real Lives section) 6/5 Shaun Baker is an extreme kayaker, a masochist who chooses to ride his canoe over waterfalls.
1999 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 30 July 13/2 Long-time participants in extreme sports, such as canyoner Tony Zimmerman, are a different breed.
2002 Observer 20 Jan. (Life Suppl.) 5/4 Waterfalling (motto: ‘to air is human, to freefall divine’) is admittedly an extreme branch of white-water rafting.
Draft additions July 2002
extreme fighting n. originally North American any of several similar forms of fighting (organized as a spectator sport), all of which incorporate aspects of boxing, wrestling, and martial arts, and feature few rules and minimal protection for the participants; esp. = ultimate fighting n. at ultimate adj. and n. Additions (though the two terms are also sometimes distinguished: see quot. 1999).
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1995 Daily News (N.Y.) 10 Nov. 3/2 ‘No biting, no eye-gouging, no mercy,’ said promoter Donald Zuckerman in describing the nine-bout Battlecade Extreme Fighting card Nov. 18 in Park Slope's Eighth Ave. Armory.
1999 D. T. Putnam Controversies of Sports World xii. 189 The American Medical Association..has a position against what it calls ‘blood-soaked spectacles’. The association condemns extreme fighting, which has more rules in the ring to distinguish it from Ultimate Fighting.
2000 Guardian 28 Feb. 8/2 Total fighting—known as extreme fighting in the US—is nothing more than a glamorised form of brawling.
Draft additions July 2002
extreme skier n. a participant in extreme skiing.
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1981 Sports Illustr. 30 Mar. 60/3 The combination of Landry's ski-racing talent and his..mountaineering skills has given him the unique mix required to produce a first-class extreme skier.
1993 Ski Surv. Feb. 45 (advt.) In Grand Targhee, Wyoming, extreme skiers cheat death as a 100 ton cornice falls from beneath them.
2000 N.Y. Times Mag. 14 May ii. 79/2 He's an extreme skier. He skis in the back country. He jumps off cliffs.
Draft additions July 2002
extreme skiing n. a form of skiing in which participants undertake particularly difficult courses or dangerous terrains, esp. steep mountain descents. [Probably after French ski êxtreme (P. Vallençant & M. Ballerini Ski Êxtreme: ma Plenitude (1979)).]
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1980 Ski Oct. 97 Skier Patrick Vallençant..climbed up Yerupaja in the Peruvian Alps..then goosed it down slopes of up to 63 degrees, a record for ski êxtreme.]
1981 Ski Feb. 64/1 There remains a stubborn minority of..extreme skiing fanatics who climb on skis..to find the ultimate downhill trip.
1985 Backpacker (Nexis) Jan. 41 The terrain ranges from easy slides up and down the valleys, up to high risk extreme skiing over the ridges.
1999 Time 8 Mar. 53/2 Wendy Fisher, two-time Extreme Skiing Champion and a notoriously fearless backcountry skier.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.adv.n.c1460