uttermost

uttermost

English

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of uttermest. More at utmost for the etymology of the latter element.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈʌtəɹmoʊst/

Adjective

uttermost (not comparable)

1. Outermost.
2. Extreme; utmost; of the farthest, greatest, or highest degree.
   • (Can we date this quote?)
     1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981:

     Psalms 65:8

     They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

Noun

uttermost (usually uncountable, plural uttermosts)

1. The utmost; the highest or greatest degree; the farthest extent.
   • c. 1596-97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act I scene i:

     Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea;

     Neither have I money, nor commodity

     To raise a present sum: therefore, go forth;

     Try what my credit can in Venice do:

     That shall be rack'd, even to the uttermost,

     To furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia.

     Go, presently inquire, and so will I,

     Where money is; and I no question make,

     To have it of my trust or for my sake.

   • 1885, Richard F. Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 563:

     […] So we cried to him, "O Rais, what is the matter?"; and he replied saying, "Seek ye deliverance of the Most High from the strait into which we have fallen and bemoan yourselves and take leave of one another; for know that the wind hath gotten the mastery of us and hath driven us into the uttermost of the seas of the world."

   • 1943, John Temple Graves, The Fighting South (page 274):

     The free way will call for uttermosts in civilization, self-discipline and human excellence.