German

Noun

Magnum f ‎(genitive Magnum, plural Magnums or Magna)

1. Alternative form of magnum

English

Noun

magnum ‎(plural magnums or magna)

1. (wine) A bottle of wine containing 1.5 liters of fluid, double the volume of a standard bottle.
2. A gun cartridge of a large calibre, often derived from a smaller similar cartridge.
3. A handgun that fires a cartridge of this calibre.
   • 1971, Harry Julian Fink, Rita M. Fink, and Dean Riesner, quoted by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry:

     “I know what you're thinking: ’Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But, being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: ’Do I feel lucky?’ Well, DO ya, punk?”

Related terms

• belted magnum
• magnum opus

French

Etymology

From Latin magnum ‎(“great”)

Noun

magnum m ‎(plural magnums)

1. (wine) A bottle of wine containing 1.5 liters of fluid, double the volume of a standard bottle.

Latin

Adjective

magnum

1. nominative neuter singular of magnus
2. accusative masculine singular of magnus
3. accusative neuter singular of magnus
4. vocative neuter singular of magnus

Derived terms

• magnum opus