Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for EX-TREM'I-TY
EX-TREM'I-TY, n. [L. extremitas.]
- The utmost point or side; the verge; the point or border that terminates a thing; as, the extremities of a country.
- The utmost parts. The extremities of the body, in painting and sculpture, are the head, hands and feet; but in anatomy, the term is applied to the limbs only. Encyc. Cyc.
- The utmost point; the highest or furthest degree; as, the extremity of pain or suffering; the extremity of cruelty. Even charity and forbearance may be carried to extremity.
- Extreme or utmost distress, straits or difficulties; as, a city besieged and reduced to extremity.
- The utmost rigor or violence. The Greeks have endured oppression in its utmost extremity.
- The most aggravated state. The world is running after farce, the extremity of bad poetry. Dryden.
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