Definition

1. Noun:
   • The farthest point or part of something: The outermost or most remote section of a physical object or geographical area.
   • The most extreme degree or limit of something: The highest intensity or most severe level of a condition, feeling, or state.
   • A condition of extreme adversity or difficulty: A state of severe hardship, distress, or need.
   • (Usually plural: extremities) The terminal parts of the limbs: The hands and feet, or more broadly, the parts of the limbs farthest from the torso.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The ship was found at the northern extremity of the island. (Referring to the farthest geographical point.)
  • His generosity was tested to its extremity. (Referring to the utmost degree of a quality.)
  • They suffered the extremity of poverty. (Referring to a state of severe hardship.)
  • In cold weather, protect your extremities—your fingers and toes. (Referring to the limbs' terminal parts.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be driven to extremity": To be forced into a situation where one must take desperate or severe measures.
  • The siege drove the defenders to extremity.
• "The last extremity": The final point of endurance or the worst possible situation.
  • They fought to the last extremity.

Variants and Related Words

• Extreme (adj/n): Reaching a high or the highest degree; very great. / The highest or most extreme degree of something.
  • extreme weather conditions
• Extremism (n): The holding of extreme political or religious views.
  • a crackdown on religious extremism
• Extremist (n/adj): A person who holds extreme views. / Holding extreme views.
  • an extremist group

Synonyms

• Limit: The furthest point of something.
• Apex: The top or highest part.
• Ultimate: The best achievable or imaginable of its kind; fundamental.
• Edge: The outside limit of an object, area, or surface.

Related Phrases

• In extremity: In a very difficult or dangerous situation.
  • The doctor said the patient was in extremity.
• Reduce to extremity: To bring someone to a state of great hardship or desperation.
  • The war reduced the civilian population to extremity.

Related Idioms

• At the extremity of: At the very end or limit of something.
  • The lighthouse stands at the extremity of the cape.
• Go to the extremity of (doing something): To do something very extreme or drastic.
  • He went to the extremity of selling his house to fund the project.

Noun

1. that part of a limb that is farthest from the torso
2. the outermost or farthest region or point
3. the greatest or utmost degree
   • the extremity of despair
4. an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease)
5. an external body part that projects from the body
   • it is important to keep the extremities warm