ne plus ultra

American  

[nee pluhs uhl-truh, ney, ne ploos ool-trah] / ˈni ˌplʌs ˈʌl trə, ˈneɪ, ˈnɛ ˌplʊs ˈʊl trɑ /

noun

1. the highest point; acme.

2. the most intense degree of a quality or state.

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ne plus ultra British  

/ ˈneɪ ˈplʊs ˈʊltrɑː /

noun

1. the extreme or perfect point or state

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Etymology

Origin of ne plus ultra

1690–1700; < New Latin, Latin nē plūs ultrā (may you) not (go) further beyond (this point)

Example Sentences

This time, I’ll subtly nudge them toward this new cherry pie recipe from Melissa Clark, a fairly classic take on the ne plus ultra of summer pies.

From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2023

There were killer doll movies before, but “Child’s Play” is the ne plus ultra that “M3gan” bows before.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2023

The ne plus ultra, though, was the Bullocks Wilshire tea room.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2021

Here is a top-notch Italian bubbly and a sublime grower champagne that shows why that region is the ne plus ultra of sparkling wine.

From Washington Post • Dec. 2, 2021

This is the ne plus ultra of personal satire.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, No. 359, September 1845 by Various