Word of the Day

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

ultimate

\UHL-tuh-mit\ , adjective, noun;

last possible, final; coming at the end

noun:

an ultimate point, result, fact, or other extreme condition

adjective:

pertaining to an extremity; beyond which there is nothing or nothing greater

fundamental; basic; original

Read the full entry|See synonyms|Comment on today's word|Suggest tomorrow's word

Quotes:

Now we want to take steps into the outside world under more robust situations, Han said. "The ultimate goal is to outfit an entire home or building."

-- Will Shanley, Denver Post, 11/2/2004

For Olivas, it was a family affair. Her dad was in the 82 nd Airborne, her cousin in the air force and another relative who paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan.

-- Arizona Family, 11/11/2008

Origin:

by 1654, from Late Latin ultimatus, from ultimare "to be final, come to an end," from ultimus "last, final," superlative of ulter "beyond."