maxwell
1 Americannoun
noun
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Elsa, 1883–1963, U.S. professional hostess and author.
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James Clerk 1831–79, Scottish physicist.
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a male given name.
noun
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James Clerk. 1831–79, Scottish physicist. He made major contributions to the electromagnetic theory, developing the equations ( Maxwell equations ) upon which classical theory is based. He also contributed to the kinetic theory of gases, and colour vision
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( Ian ) Robert , original name Robert Hoch. 1923–91, British publisher, born in Slovakia: founder (1949) of Pergamon Press; chairman of Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd. (1984–91); theft from his employees' pension funds and other frauds discovered after his death led to the collapse of his business
noun
Etymology
Origin of maxwell
First recorded in 1895–1900; named after J. C. Maxwell
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.
Days after their interview, Maxwell was moved from her prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison in Texas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
The committee’s investigation is focused on the federal government’s handling of Epstein, who died in jail in 2019, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
“We are talking weeks, not days,” Maxwell said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
Epstein killed himself in a jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial, and his long-time associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison term.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
But it is also bad, at least a little, because this change means that Axel can no longer see Maxwell.
From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers
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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.