extreme

extreme [ek strēm′, ikstrēm′]

adj.

[ME & OFr < L extremus, last, outermost, superl. of exterus, outer: see EXTERNAL]

1. at the end or outermost point; farthest away; most remote; utmost

2.

a) in or to the greatest degree; very great or greatest [extreme pain]

b) to an excessive degree; immoderate

3. far from what is usual or conventional

4. deviating to the greatest degree from the center of opinion, as in politics

5. very severe; drastic [extreme measures]

6. designating or of sports that involve high speeds, unusually risky actions, and considerable exposure to physical injury

7. Archaic last; final

n.

1. either of two things that are as different or far as possible from each other

2. an extreme degree

3. an extreme act, expedient, etc.

4. an extreme state or condition [an extreme of distress]

5. Obs. an extreme point; extremity

6. Math.

a) the first or last term of a proportion

b) EXTREMUM

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go to extremes

to be excessive or immoderate in speech or action

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in the extreme

to the utmost degree

extremely

adv.

extremeness

n.