1.
[syn: extremity, appendage, member]
2. an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease);
3. the greatest or utmost degree;
- Example: "the extremity of despair"
4. the outermost or farthest region or point;
5. that part of a limb that is farthest from the torso;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Extremity \Ex*trem"i*ty\, n.; pl. Extremities. [L. extremitas:
cf. F. extr['e]mit['e].]
1. The extreme part; the utmost limit; the farthest or
remotest point or part; as, the extremities of a country.
[1913 Webster]
They sent fleets . . . to the extremities of
Ethiopia. --Arbuthnot.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of locomotive appendages of an animal; a
limb; a leg or an arm of man.
[1913 Webster]
3. The utmost point; highest degree; most aggravated or
intense form. "The extremity of bodily pain." --Ray.
[1913 Webster]
4. The highest degree of inconvenience, pain, or suffering;
greatest need or peril; extreme need; necessity.
[1913 Webster]
Divers evils and extremities that follow upon such a
compulsion shall here be set in view. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Upon mere extremity he summoned this last
Parliament. --Milton.
Syn: Verge; border; extreme; end; termination.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
extremity
n 1: an external body part that projects from the body; "it is
important to keep the extremities warm" [syn: extremity,
appendage, member]
2: an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or
disease)
3: the greatest or utmost degree; "the extremity of despair"
4: the outermost or farthest region or point
5: that part of a limb that is farthest from the torso