extremity

[ ik-strem-i-tee ]
See synonyms for: extremityextremities on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural ex·trem·i·ties.
  1. the extreme or terminal point, limit, or part of something.

  2. a limb of the body.

  1. Usually extremities. the end part of a limb, as a hand or foot: to experience cold in one's extremities.

  2. Often extremities. a condition or circumstance of extreme need, distress, etc.: to suffer the extremities of being poor.

  3. the utmost or any extreme degree: the extremity of joy.

  4. an extreme or extraordinary measure, act, etc.: to go to any extremity to feed the children.

  5. extreme nature or character: the extremity of his views on foreign trade.

  6. Archaic. a person's last moment before death.

Origin of extremity

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Latin word extrēmitās.See extreme, -ity

Other words for extremity

Other words from extremity

  • su·per·ex·trem·i·ty, noun, plural su·per·ex·trem·i·ties.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use extremity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for extremity

extremity

/ (ɪkˈstrɛmɪtɪ) /


nounplural -ties
  1. the farthest or outermost point or section; termination

  2. the greatest or most intense degree

  1. an extreme condition or state, as of adversity or disease

  2. a limb, such as a leg, arm, or wing, or the part of such a limb farthest from the trunk

  3. (usually plural) archaic a drastic or severe measure

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012