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Today it means

maximum

the greatest amount, value, or degree possible

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Where does the word "maximum" come from? It comes from Latin maximus, and was adopted directly into English (1740s).

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Where does the word "maximum" come from? It comes from Latin maximus, and was adopted directly into English (1740s).

Maximum’s story begins in Latin: maximus meant “greatest.” Greatest, the superlative of magnus (great). It reached English by 1740s as maximum. Latin 'greatest', neuter of 'maximus'. Today, maximum means the greatest amount, value, or degree possible.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient maximus "greatest", greatest, the superlative of magnus (great).
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1740s maximum "the greatest possible amount or degree", Latin 'greatest', neuter of 'maximus'.

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