To maximize something is to make it as large, great, or effective as possible. It often refers to increasing benefits, space, or efficiency.
From “maximum” plus the verb-forming suffix “-ize”. “Maximum” itself comes from Latin “maximum” meaning 'the greatest'. The verb arose in the 19th century alongside mathematical and economic uses.
Maximize is a modern-sounding word, but it’s just 'make it the greatest' in Latin clothing. Every time you hit the little square to enlarge a window on your computer, you’re literally 'maximizing' your view.
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