Etymologically
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maximus

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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

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