maximus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈmak.sɪ.mʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmak.si.mus]^[1]

Forms

maximus (superlative, feminine maxima, neuter maximum, positive magnus, comparative maior); first/second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is the superlative of magnus “great”, inherited from Proto-Italic *magisVmos, from Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂s (“great”).^[1][2][3] The spelling ⟨maxumus⟩ is common in early Latin.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Ennius, of size, loudness and power.^[2] Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant greatest in size, largest, as in Ennius, and in Cicero circus maximus and āra maxima.^[2] From Plautus it meant greatest in number or value, in Ennius maximā vōce at the top of one's voice, and in Virgil oldest, maximus nātū.^[2] From Plautus it meant greatest in degree, maximō opere most vehemently, and in Cicero most important.^[2] From Ennius it meant mightiest, Iuppiter Optimus Maximus, and in Cicero most senior, pontifex maximus, annālēs maximī; in Suetonius it was the cognomen of Fabius Maximus.^[2][4]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant very great, greatest, maximum.^[5] It was borrowed into Italian massimo and Spanish máximo, and its neuter gave English maximum in 1740.^[1][6]

Timeline

• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of size and power.^[2][3]
• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses maximō opere.^[2][3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses pontifex maximus.^[2][3]
• 1740 – English maximum is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Greatest, largest, circus maximus.^[2]
2. Greatest in number or value; loudest.^[2]
3. Oldest.^[2]
4. Greatest in degree, utmost, maximō opere, most vehemently.^[2]
5. Most important.^[2]
6. Mightiest; most senior, pontifex maximus.^[2]
7. Most notable.^[2]

Word family

• maximitās
• maximopere
• permaximus

Related words

• magnus
• maior
• English maximum
• English maxim

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com