ne plus ul·tra

(nē′ plŭs ŭl′trə, nā′ plo͝os o͝ol′trä)

1. The highest point, as of excellence or achievement; the ultimate.

2. The most profound degree, as of a condition or quality.

[Latin nē plūs ultrā, (go) no more beyond (this point) : nē, no + plūs, more + ultrā, beyond.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ne plus ultra

(ˈneɪ ˈplʊs ˈʊltrɑː)

the extreme or perfect point or state

[literally: not more beyond (that is, go no further), allegedly a warning to sailors inscribed on the Pillars of Hercules at Gibraltar]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ne plus ul•tra

(ˈni ˌplʌs ˈʌl trə, ˈneɪ)

n.

1. the highest point or stage; acme.

2. the most intense degree of a quality or state.

[1690–1700; < New Latin, Latin nē plūs ultrā (may you) not (go) further beyond (this point)]

ne plus ultra

A Latin phrase meaning no more beyond, used to mean the most perfect example of something.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

ne plus ultra - the state of being without a flaw or defect

flawlessness, perfection

state - the way something is with respect to its main attributes; "the current state of knowledge"; "his state of health"; "in a weak financial state"

dream - someone or something wonderful; "this dessert is a dream"

refinement, polish, finish, cultivation, culture - a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality; "they performed with great polish"; "I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose"; "almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art"--Joseph Conrad

fare-thee-well - state of perfection; the utmost degree; "they polished the furniture to a fare-thee-well"

intactness - the state of being unimpaired

ne plus ultra

(Latin)

noun ultimate, extreme, perfection, the last word, culmination, acme, uttermost point The new building is the ne plus ultra of theatrical design.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

It was something, indeed, to be enabled to contemplate this immense Columbiad; but to descend into its depths, this seemed to the Americans the ne plus ultra of earthly felicity.

View in context

"The surprise to me is, that you forgot to purchase this ne plus ultra of elegance while in Paris last summer."

{chariot = a light, four-wheeled carriage with only back seats; ne plus ultra = peak, ultimate}

View in context

Such bijou ne plus ultras, replete with all the amenities, do not, as I pointed out to Penfentenyou, transpire outside of England.

View in context

Megaworld responds to a higher calling, a missionary purpose to uplift the lives of people, make an impact to society and shape the nation." On Megaworld International's 20th year, Acosta continues strongly on her path, armed with the Latin phrase ne plus ultra, "the highest point that can still be achieved."

'Women execs have advantage due to their nurturing, persevering qualities'

The ne plus ultra of problems and crises causes the public go frantic and psycho.

Depression and frustration

The flattery was dripping, slavish, cast in ultimate superlatives, and entirely disconnected from reality: so-and-so was the best, the most incredible, the ne plus ultra, the eternal.

Nobel prize for Trump?

Two years ago, author Gurney Brown published his large-format, full-color "Seven Serpents, The History of Colt's Snake Guns." It was a detailed homage to a series of arms that many modern collectors consider the ne plus ultra of double-action revolvers: Colt Cobra, Python, Diamondback, Viper, Boa, King Cobra and Anaconda.