extreme

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin extremus, superlative of exter, exterus being on the outside — more at exterior Date: 15th century 1. a. existing in a very high degree <

extreme poverty

> b. going to great or exaggerated lengths ; radical <

went on an extreme diet

> c. exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected <

extreme weather conditions

> 2. archaic last 3. situated at the farthest possible point from a center <

the country's extreme north

> 4. a. most advanced or thoroughgoing <

the extreme political left

> b. maximum 5. a. of, relating to, or being an outdoor activity or a form of a sport (as skiing) that involves an unusually high degree of physical risk <

extreme mountain biking down steep slopes

> b. involved in an extreme sport <

an extreme snowboarder

> Synonyms: see excessive • extremeness noun II. noun Date: 1555 1. a. something situated at or marking one end or the other of a range <

extremes of heat and cold

> b. the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion c. the major term or minor term of a syllogism 2. a. a very pronounced or excessive degree b. highest degree ; maximum 3. an extreme measure or expedient <

going to extremes

>