extremity
Americannoun
plural
extremities-
the extreme or terminal point, limit, or part of something.
- Synonyms:
- boundary, border, verge, termination, end
-
a limb of the body.
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Usually extremities. the end part of a limb, as a hand or foot.
to experience cold in one's extremities.
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Often extremities. a condition or circumstance of extreme need, distress, etc..
to suffer the extremities of being poor.
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the utmost or any extreme degree.
the extremity of joy.
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an extreme or extraordinary measure, act, etc..
to go to any extremity to feed the children.
-
extreme nature or character.
the extremity of his views on foreign trade.
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Archaic. a person's last moment before death.
noun
-
the farthest or outermost point or section; termination
-
the greatest or most intense degree
-
an extreme condition or state, as of adversity or disease
-
a limb, such as a leg, arm, or wing, or the part of such a limb farthest from the trunk
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archaic (usually plural) a drastic or severe measure
Other Word Forms
- superextremity noun
Etymology
Origin of extremity
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Latin word extrēmitās. See extreme, -ity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Temperature readings can also be wrong if patient's extremities are cold.
From BBC
Tattoos dotted his extremities, including an anchor on his right leg with the words “I refuse to sink.”
From Los Angeles Times
The border frames an oddly shaped expanse that resembles a shredded kite, with San Pedro and Wilmington dangling from a string at the southern extremities.
From Los Angeles Times
Everything in “Zola” is heightened to mimic the extremity and shallowness of social media.
From Salon
With 16 full-length records, many banned and censored for their grotesque album cover art, and song titles and lyrics that sparked political outrage, Cannibal Corpse built its reputation on extremity.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
