extreme

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   most distant in any direction

   the extreme edge of town

2. 2
   adj

   of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

   extreme cold

3. 3
   adj

   beyond a norm in views or actions

   an extreme conservative

4. 4
   noun

   the furthest or highest degree of something

   They carried it to extremes.

5. 5
   adj

   Of a place, the most remote, farthest or outermost.

   At the extreme edges, the coating is very thin.

6. 6
   adj

   In the greatest or highest degree; intense.

   He has an extreme aversion to needles, and avoids visiting the doctor.

7. 7
   adj

   Excessive, or far beyond the norm.

   His extreme love of model trains showed in the rails that criscrossed his entire home.

8. 8
   adj

   Drastic, or of great severity.

   I think the new laws are extreme, but many believe them necessary for national security.

Etymology

Borrowed into late Middle English from Old French extreme, from Latin extrēmus, the superlative of exter.