ikˈstreməd.ē, ek-, -mətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English extremite, from Middle French extremité, from Latin extremitat-, extremitas, from extremus extreme + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at extreme
1. : something that is extreme: as
a.
(1) : an outlying or terminal part, section, or point
one extremity of the mountain range is located to the east
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point : the most advanced part : the farthest extent : the farthest projection
the region's wooded northern extremity
the inhabitants of the southern extremity of the continent
: the very end
at the extremity of a small path — William Black
the sting at the extremity of a scorpion's tail
(2) : a limb (as of the body) or other appendage : an arm or leg
circulation of blood in the extremities
usually : a hand or foot
coldness in the extremities
b.
(1) : a condition of extreme urgency or necessity : a highly crucial state of affairs : a time of extreme danger or critical need : extreme adversity
in this extremity she took refuge in grief — G.B.Shaw
to whom in the depths of his extremity he turned for sympathy — F.W.Crofts
(2) : a moment marked by imminent destruction or dissolution
anchors thrown out by a vessel in its last extremity — A.C.Clarke
(3) archaic : the point of death
the king was at extremity — G.P.R.James
c.
(1) : an extremely intense degree (as of emotion or pain) : extreme intensity
in his first extremity of grief — H.G.Wells
enduring extremities of torture — Edith Sitwell
(2) : a culminating point (as of emotion or pain) : height , apex , climax
some went so far as to kneel on the sharp stones in the very extremity of terror — Elinor Wylie
an extremity of passion
(3) archaic : extreme severity or rigor : asperity
d. obsolete : an instance or act of extravagant behavior : extravagance
e. : the fullest possible extent : utmost limit : utmost degree
the thought worried her to the extremity of her endurance
they were definitely provoked to extremity before they did this deed — Rex Ingamells
f.
(1) : a very severe, violent, drastic, or desperate act or measure
reduced to the extremity of telling everything they knew
forced to extremities
(2) : a single remaining source of help or plan of action : sole recourse : final resort
as a last extremity there's only one thing that can be done
2. : the quality or state of being extreme
avoiding extremities
they vied with one another in the extremity of their opinions — H.G.Wells
the extremity , violence, and anguish which have characterized much of the literature — K.I.Lansner
•
- in extremities
- to the last extremity