maximum English · revision 4324

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1740|origins=la maximus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmæk.sɪ.məm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|maximum]], and directly [[bor|la|maximum]], the neuter of [[m|la|maximus|t=greatest]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) the superlative of magnus “great, large”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from *mag-samo-, a superlative form of [[ine-pro|*meǵh₂-|alt=*meg-|t=great]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[maxim]] and [[much]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The highest attainable quantity or amount: 1740 in the OED, Barnhart, Etymonline and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) Merriam-Webster Unabridged has a first use in 1663,^(MWU 2024) the New Oxford the mid-17th century,^(NODE 1998) and the Shorter Oxford the mid-16th, in senses now obsolete.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In mathematics, the greatest value of a variable or function, it is from 1743.^(OED 1989) A limit imposed by authority is from 1821, especially in French history of the maximum price of corn and goods.^(OED 1989) The highest temperature or pressure recorded is from 1850.^(OED 1989) The adjective, “greatest, at the maximum”, is from 1834,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and dates, according to the New Oxford, from the early 19th century.^(NODE 1998) ''Maximize'' is from 1802, in Bentham's writings.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1663 – first use in Merriam-Webster Unabridged.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1740 – the greatest amount.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1743 – in mathematics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1802 – ''maximize''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1821 – a limit set by authority.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1834 – adjective.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1850 – the highest recorded.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The greatest possible [[quantity]] or [[degree]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The greatest quantity or degree reached or recorded.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An upper [[limit]] permitted by law or authority.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' The greatest value of a function.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Being the greatest possible or the highest reached: ''maximum speed''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[maximin]]

+ * [[minimax]]

+ * [[maximum-security]]

+ * [[maximal]]

+ * [[maximize]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[supremum]]

+ * [[maxim]]

+ * [[minimum]]

+ * [[magnitude]]

+ * [[much]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The plural is maxima or maximums.^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}