extremity

[ik-strem-i-tee]

See more synonyms for extremity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ex·trem·i·ties.

the extreme or terminal point, limit, or part of something.
a limb of the body.
Usually extremities. the end part of a limb, as a hand or foot: to experience cold in one's extremities.

Often extremities. a condition or circumstance of extreme need, distress, etc.: to suffer the extremities of being poor.
the utmost or any extreme degree: the extremity of joy.
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.
Archaic. a person's last moment before death.

Origin of extremity

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

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

Synonyms for extremity

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1. end, termination; verge; border, boundary.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for extremity

terminus, limb, disaster, zenith, consummation, climax, excess, bound, setback, height, pole, rim, verge, brim, plight, border, brink, end, nadir, frontier

Examples from the Web for extremity

Contemporary Examples of extremity

“A lot of extremity you see in YA is merely attempting to capture the intensity” of being a teen, Lorentz says.
The War Inside: Terrorism & Teenhood in ‘No Dawn Without Darkness’
Hugh Ryan
August 3, 2014
“It is not implausible that a greater proportion of torso and extremity fat may protect against injury,” the report said.
Why Are We Fat? Let's Blame Cars
David Frum
April 3, 2013
To do so missing an extremity is astonishing—and an inspiration.
George W. Bush Leads Wounded Warriors Ride
Mark McKinnon
April 29, 2011

Historical Examples of extremity

Mary's usual quickness was not lacking even now, in this period of extremity.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Thus driven to extremity, the Melians surrendered at discretion.
Stories from Thucydides
H. L. Havell
At this moment a rumour was heard at the extremity of the long hall.
Gomez Arias
Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
Perhaps a man never sees so much at a glance as when he is in a situation of extremity.
Barnaby Rudge
Charles Dickens
It is rarely necessary, however, to go to such an extremity as suicide.
Commercialism and Journalism
Hamilton Holt

British Dictionary definitions for extremity

extremity

noun plural -ties

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
(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

Word Origin and History for extremity

late 14c., from Old French estremite (13c.), from Latin extremitatem (nominative extremitas) "the end of a thing," from extremus; see extreme, the etymological sense of which is better preserved in this word.

extremity in Medicine

extremity

[ĭk-strĕm′ĭ-tē]

An end of an elongated or pointed structure.
A bodily limb or appendage.