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maximum

 - 6 dictionary results

max⋅i⋅mum

  [mak-suh-muhm] noun, plural -mums, -ma  [-muh] , adjective
–noun
1. the greatest quantity or amount possible, assignable, allowable, etc.
2. the highest amount, value, or degree attained or recorded.
3. an upper limit allowed or allowable by law or regulation.
4. Mathematics.
a. Also called relative maximum, local maximum. the value of a function at a certain point in its domain, which is greater than or equal to the values at all other points in the immediate vicinity of the point. Compare absolute maximum.
b. the point in the domain at which a maximum occurs.
–adjective
5. that is a maximum; greatest or highest possible or attained: maximum satisfaction; maximum temperature.
6. pertaining to a maximum or maximums.
Use maximum in a Sentence
Origin:
1730–40; < L, n. use of neut. of maximus, superl. of magnus great, large

Related forms:
max⋅i⋅mum⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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max·i·mum   (māk'sə-məm)   
n.   pl. max·i·mums or max·i·ma (-mə)

    1. The greatest possible quantity or degree.

    2. The greatest quantity or degree reached or recorded; the upper limit of variation.

    3. The time or period during which the highest point or degree is attained.

    4. The moment when a variable star is most brilliant.

    5. The magnitude of the star at such a moment.

    6. The greatest value assumed by a function over a given interval.

    7. The largest number in a set.

  2. An upper limit permitted by law or other authority.

  3. Astronomy

    1. The moment when a variable star is most brilliant.

    2. The magnitude of the star at such a moment.

    3. The greatest value assumed by a function over a given interval.

    4. The largest number in a set.

  4. Mathematics

    1. The greatest value assumed by a function over a given interval.

    2. The largest number in a set.

adj.  

  1. Having or being the greatest quantity or the highest degree that has been or can be attained: maximum temperature.

  2. Of, relating to, or making up a maximum: a maximum number in a series.


[Latin, from neuter of maximus, greatest; see meg- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

maximum 
1740, from L. maximum, neut. of maximus "greatest," superl. of magnus "great, large" (see magnum). Maximize was formed in Eng. 1802, first attested in Bentham, who used it often.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: max·i·mum
Pronunciation: 'mak-s(&-)m&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural max·i·ma /-s&-m&/ or maximums
1 a : the greatest quantity or value attainable or attained b : the period of highest, greatest, or utmostdevelopment
2 : an upper limit allowed (as by a legal authority) or allowable (as by the circumstances of a particular case) —maximum adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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maximum max·i·mum (māk'sə-məm)
n. pl. max·i·mums or max·i·ma (-mə)

  1. The greatest possible quantity or degree.

  2. The greatest quantity or degree reached or recorded; the upper limit of variation.

  3. The time or period during which the highest point or degree is attained.

adj.

  1. Having or being the greatest quantity or the highest degree attained or attainable.

  2. Of, relating to, or making up a maximum.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
maximum   (māk'sə-məm)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural maximums or maxima

  1. The greatest known or greatest possible number, measure, quantity, or degree.

  2. The greatest value of a mathematical function, if it has such a value.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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