As a noun, maximum is the greatest possible amount, level, or degree of something. As an adjective, it describes the highest allowed or reached value.
Directly from Latin “maximum” meaning 'the greatest', the superlative form of “magnus” 'great'. It entered English in the 17th century, especially in scientific and mathematical writing. It pairs with its opposite, “minimum”, from Latin for 'least'.
Maximum is a close cousin of 'magnificent' and 'magnitude'—all built on the idea of greatness or size. In math, a maximum doesn’t always mean 'forever the biggest'; sometimes it’s just the highest point in a local area, like the top of one hill among many.
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