uttermost

Etymology

From 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.

   Synonym: (obsolete, rare) extimate

   Antonym: innermost

2. Extreme; utmost; of the farthest, greatest, or highest degree.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 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.

   • 1611, Iohn Speed [i.e., John Speed], “Flavius Domitian”, in The History of Great Britaine under the Conquests of yͤ Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans. […], London: […] William Hall and John Beale, for John Sudbury and George Humble, […], →OCLC, book VI ([The Romans] […]), paragraph 8, page 214, column 1:

     [U]s hitherto this Corner and ſecret receſſe hath defended, novv the Vttermoſt point of our Land is laid open: and things the leſſe they haue beene vvithin knovvledge, the greater the glorie is to atchieue them.

Noun

uttermost (usually uncountable, plural uttermosts)

1. The utmost; the highest or greatest degree; the farthest extent.
   • c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [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.

   • 1885–1888, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, “Night 563”, in A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume (please specify the volume), [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC:

     […] 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.