ultima Thule

American  

[uhl-tuh-muh thoo-lee, ool-ti-mah too-le] / ˈʌl tə mə ˈθu li, ˈʊl tɪˌmɑ ˈtu lɛ /

noun

1. (italics) the highest degree attainable.

2. the farthest point; the limit of any journey.

3. the point believed by the ancients to be farthest north.

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ultima Thule British  

/ ˈθjuːlɪ /

noun

1. another name for Thule

2. any distant or unknown region

3. a remote goal or aim

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Etymology

Origin of ultima Thule

First recorded in 1655–65; literally, farthest Thule

Example Sentences

To ancient explorers, “ultima Thule,” or the most distant region, was what lay past the northernmost edges of maps, beyond the borders of the known world.

From Washington Post

Pytheas called the place he encountered Thule, as in ultima Thule—the land beyond all known lands.

From The New Yorker

Men would be just as well off if they never reached this ultima Thule—perhaps, better off.

From Project Gutenberg

At last Barmouth, the “ultima Thule” of their wanderings, was reached, lodgings were taken, and the party set steadily to work.

From Project Gutenberg

Food, warmth, sleep, and a book; these are all I at present ask—the ultima Thule of my wandering desires.

From Project Gutenberg