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Webster 1913 Edition


Maxim

Max′im

,
Noun.
[F.
maxime
, L.
maxima
(sc.
sententia
), the greatest sentence, proposition, or axiom, i. e., of the greatest weight or authority, fem. fr.
maximus
greatest, superl. of
magnus
great. See
Magnitude
, and cf.
Maximum
.]
1.
An established principle or proposition; a condensed proposition of important practical truth; an axiom of practical wisdom; an adage; a proverb; an aphorism.
’T is their
maxim
, Love is love's reward.
Dryden.
2.
(Mus.)
The longest note formerly used, equal to two longs, or four breves; a large.
Syn. – Axiom; aphorism; apothegm; adage; proverb; saying. See
Axiom
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Maxim

MAX'IM

,
Noun.
[L. maximum, literally the greatest.]
1.
An established principle or proposition; a principle generally received or admitted as true. It is nearly the same in popular usage, as axiom in philosophy and mathematics.
It is a maxim of state, that countries newly acquired and not settled, are matters of burden, rather than of strength.
It is their maxim, love is love's reward.
2.
In music, the longest note formerly used, equal to two longs, or four breves.

Definition 2024


Maxim

Maxim

See also: maxim and màxim

English

Noun

Maxim (plural Maxims)

  1. The Maxim gun, a British machine gun of various calibres used by the British army from 1889 until World War I.
    • 1928, Edmund Blunden, Undertones of War, Penguin 2010, p. 104:
      Again we went on, and climbed the false immensity of another ridge, when several rifles and a maxim opened upon us, and very close they were.

Synonyms

See also


Czech

Etymology

From the Latin saint's name Maximus, cognate to French Maxime and Russian Максим.

Proper noun

Maxim m

  1. A male given name.

Related terms

maxim

maxim

See also: Maxim and màxim

English

Noun

maxim (plural maxims)

  1. (now rare) A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.
  2. A precept; a succinct statement or observation of a rule of conduct or moral teaching.
    • 1776, Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, page 768:
      In every age and country of the world men must have attended to the characters, designs, and actions of one another, and many reputable rules and maxims for the conduct of human life, must have been laid down and approved of by common consent.

Synonyms

Translations

See also


Ido

Adverb

maxim

  1. most

Antonyms


Novial

Adverb

maxim

  1. most
    Lo es li maxim brav ek li fratros.
    He is the bravest of the brothers.

Antonyms