extremeness

ex·treme  (k-strm)

adj.

1. Most remote in any direction; outermost or farthest: the extreme edge of the field.

2. Being in or attaining the greatest or highest degree; very intense: extreme pleasure; extreme pain.

3. Extending far beyond the norm: an extreme conservative. See Synonyms at excessive.

4. Of the greatest severity; drastic: took extreme measures to conserve fuel.

5. Biology

a. Characterized by severe, usually oxygen-poor environmental conditions.

b. Having an affinity for such conditions: an extreme microorganism.

6. Sports

a. Very dangerous or difficult: extreme rafting.

b. Participating or tending to participate in a very dangerous or difficult sport: an extreme skier.

7. Archaic Final; last.

n.

1. The greatest or utmost degree or point.

2. Either of the two things situated at opposite ends of a range: the extremes of boiling and freezing.

3. An extreme condition.

4. An immoderate, drastic expedient: resorted to extremes in the emergency.

5. Mathematics

a. The first or last term of a ratio or a series.

b. A maximum or minimum value of a function.

6. Logic The major or minor term of a syllogism.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin extrmus; see eghs in Indo-European roots.]

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ex·tremely adv.

ex·tremeness n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

extremeness - the quality of being extreme quality - an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare