Etymology: < Anglo-Norman maxime, maxyme (1291 in sense 2a) and Middle French maxime (c1330 in sense 1, in the passage translated in quot. c1450 at sense 1; c1485 in sense 3; from mid 17th cent. as the name of a literary genre) < post-classical Latin maxima , use as noun (see below) of the feminine singular of classical Latin maximus greatest (see maximum n.).Boethius (6th cent.) uses propositio maxima (‘greatest proposition’) in the sense of ‘axiom’ (synonymous with dignitas , which corresponds to Greek ἀξίωμα , but especially used with reference to rhetoric). Maxima in the sense ‘maxim, principle’ is found in scholastic use from the 12th cent. The use of maxima in English law is attested from the 15th cent. (in the passage translated in quot. 1567 at sense 2a), but is probably earlier. Compare Italian massima (a1406), Spanish máxima, and Portuguese maxima (both 17th cent.).

Etymology: Probably shortened < maximum n. Compare max n.¹

Etymology: Shortened < maxima n., after minim n.¹

Etymology: < the name of Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim (1840–1916), U.S.-born British inventor and engineer, who invented the gun c1884.Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim was the brother of Hudson Maxim (see maximite n.).

Etymology: < classical Latin maximus (see maximum n.). Compare Middle French maxime sublime (1501), very large (1547).

Etymology: < maxim n.¹ Compare earlier anti-maxim v.

Etymology: < Maxim n.⁴