optimum
/ˈɒptɪməm
/adjective
Most conducive to a favourable outcome; best: the optimum childbearing age...
- All his businesses are run to deliver optimum value and performance to shareholder and customers.
- There is a body of evidence that only custom fitted suits give optimum performance.
- The state's role is to gently guide the actions of each individual, so that the optimum outcome for all is reached and sustained.
Synonyms
best, most favourable, most advantageous, most appropriate, ideal, perfect, prime, optimal, model;
finest, superlative, peak, top, supreme, excellent, flawless, first-class
informal tip-top, A1, stellar, top-notch
noun (plural optima /ˈɒptɪmə/ or optimums)
The most favourable situation or level for growth, reproduction, or success: the plant grows within a range of 68 and 78°F, the optimum being 74° the optimum must lie between these two values...
- For some, but not all, of these thermally sensitive traits acclimatization leads to adaptive shifts in thermal optima and limits.
- If the absolute value of a genetic correlation is less than 1, selection will eventually bring trait means to their respective individual optima, although it may require an extremely long time.
- As Raup observed, these peaks need not be adaptive optima for each individual trait but rather may be best interpreted as compromise solutions that satisfy several functional constraints.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Latin, neuter (used as a noun) of optimus 'best'.
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