Utmost

//ˈʌtməʊ̯st// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    superlative form of utter: most utter; situated at the most distant limit; farthest, outermost. form-of, superlative

    "the utmost limits of the land"

  2. 2
    The most extreme; greatest, ultimate. not-comparable

    "the utmost assiduity"

Adjective
  1. 1
    (comparatives of ‘far’) most remote in space or time or order wordnet
  2. 2
    of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    The greatest possible capability, extent, or quantity; maximum. countable, uncountable

    "at the utmost    to the utmost"

  2. 2
    the greatest possible degree wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

PIE word *úd From Middle English utmost, utemest [and other forms], from Old English ūtmest, ūtemest [and other forms], from ūt, ūte (“out; outdoors, outside”) + -mest (suffix meaning ‘furthest’, used to form superlatives of some adjectives) (and conflated with most). Ūt is derived from Proto-Germanic *ūt (“out, outward”), from Proto-Indo-European *úd (“out, outward”). Equivalent to out + -most.

Etymology 2

PIE word *úd From Middle English utmost, utemest [and other forms], from Old English ūtmest, ūtemest [and other forms], from ūt, ūte (“out; outdoors, outside”) + -mest (suffix meaning ‘furthest’, used to form superlatives of some adjectives) (and conflated with most). Ūt is derived from Proto-Germanic *ūt (“out, outward”), from Proto-Indo-European *úd (“out, outward”). Equivalent to out + -most.

Etymology 3

PIE word *úd From Middle English utmost, utemest [and other forms], from Old English ūtmest, ūtemest [and other forms], from ūt, ūte (“out; outdoors, outside”) + -mest (suffix meaning ‘furthest’, used to form superlatives of some adjectives) (and conflated with most). Ūt is derived from Proto-Germanic *ūt (“out, outward”), from Proto-Indo-European *úd (“out, outward”). Equivalent to out + -most.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: utmost