uttermostadj.n.
/ˈʌtəməʊst/, U.S. /ˈədərˌmoʊst/ A. adj.† 3.
1. † b. Of garments or other coverings: = utmost adj. 1b. Obsolete. rare.
a. Outermost; farthest out or off; remotest; = utmost adj. 1a, outmost adj. 1.In frequent use c1385–1630. Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adjective] > most distant or remotest
utterestc1200
lastc1225
furthestc1374
farthest1377
lattera1382
outmosta1382
outerestc1392
uttermost1398
yondermest1513
farmost1581
hindmost1596
yondmost1608
extremea1616
farthermost1619
furthermost1765
endermost1803
ultimate1848
endmost1879
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > [adjective] > outermost
utmostc950
outmosta1382
outerestc1392
uttermost1398
extremal1447
utteresta1492
extreme1503
uppermost1548
outermost1587
outwardmost1598
extimate1659
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) iii. xx. 67 The vttermest sydes and partyes of the tongue.
a1400 Prose Psalter (Dublin) cxxxiv. 7 Þe ottermast endes of þerþe.
a1450 (?a1300) Richard Coer de Lyon (Caius) 2931 in K. Brunner Mittelengl. Vers-roman über Richard Löwenherz (1913) 241 [He swore] But ȝiff it were jbrouȝt adoun Be noon, and þe vttermeste wal, He scholde hym hewe to peses smll.
1486 Bk. St. Albans a viij The vttermest Clees ye shall call the Pety Sengles.
1579 T. Lupton Thousand Notable Things ii. 37 The vttermost or last ioynt of the tayle.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 23 It reacheth..to the vttermost bounds of the Dutchy of Ferrara.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xxxviii. 248 From the uttermost parts of the Earth.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 266 To the uttermost convex Of this great Round. View more context for this quotation
a1822 P. B. Shelley Masque of Anarchy (1832) lxvii. 34 From the corners uttermost Of the bounds of English coast.
1872 J. S. Blackie Lays of Highlands Introd. 49 To indulge in the flight to uttermost Unst.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > outerwear > [adjective]
umestc1400
uttermostc1471
upper1526
upperest1548
uppermost1548
utmost?1553
upmost1592
c1471 J. Fortescue Wks. (1869) 452 If it be a pore Cote under their uttermost Garment.
1532–3 Act 24 Hen. VIII c. 13 Their Gownes, Cootes with Sleves or other uttermost Garmentes.
1545 T. Raynald in tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. sig. D.iiiiv Of ye whiche [coats] the fyrst and vttermost is called the skyn.
c. Greatest in extent; longest. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [adjective] > long > longer or longest
lengerc900
lengestc1000
uttermosta1586
farthest1633
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. K1 The vttermost time presupposed in it, should be..but one day.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xviii. f. 318 [He] stood with..his shield at the vttermost length of his arme.
2. † b. Of persons: = utterest adj. 2b. Obsolete.
a. Extreme; = utmost adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > greatest in quantity, amount, or degree
mosteOE
utmosta1325
uttermore1382
utterestc1386
uttermost1429
outmost1447
utter1513
supreme1571
summoperous1647
top1714
mostest1882
a1325 Prose Psalter lvii. 6 God shal defoulen her teþe..; our Lord shal breke þe uttemast [Dublin MS. ottermast] iuels of þe wicked.]
1429 Rolls of Parl. IV. 352/1 To the uttermast distruction and anientisment of the said Merchantz.
1468 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 399 The vttermest pryse had not passyd v mark.
1544 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1911) II. 306 As they will answere..for the same att their uttermost perilles.
1556 J. Olde tr. R. Gwalther Antichrist f. 59 The best..that shoulde lye in his uttermost possible power to doo.
1607 J. Norden Surueyors Dialogue iii. 88 You that haue bene here presently sworn to performe your uttermost duties.
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine: 2nd Pt. ii. 212 Thou..may'st most justly expect from the children of Men our uttermost Love, and Fear.
1702 H. Dodwell Apol. in S. Parker tr. Cicero Five Bks. De Finibus sig. A7 The time wherein Philosophy..received its uttermost Perfection.
a1796 in J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 91 His friendships are..faithful to the uttermost extremity.
1815 W. Wordsworth White Doe of Rylstone iii. 48 A voice of uttermost joy.
1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters IV. 74 To speak with uttermost truth of expression.
1890 H. S. Hallett 1000 Miles 430 It is in the uttermost degree unlikely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > that is such in a high degree > entitled to designation in high degree > in highest degree
mostc1300
uttermostc1572
utterest1593
c1572 W. Forrest Theophilus 743 in Anglia (1884) 7 100 Howe happened thee to goe..Vnto his enemye moste vttermoste..?
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. xxii. 82 They were solde..to the vttermost enemy of their estate.
a. Last in time; final. Cf. utmost adj. 3. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adjective] > later > last, latest, or most advanced
aftermostOE
utterestc1400
uttermostc1440
utmosta1500
lattermore1534
furthest1559
c1440 York Myst. xxxvii. 232 And Marie me menys þi modir hight, Þe vttiremeste ende of all þi kynne.
1463 T. Playter in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 291 For..þe Sunday was þe vttermest day.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lxxxvi. 567 To the vtter~mest dayes of my lyf.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 2 Tim. i. f. xx He..is hable ynoughe to kepe vnto the vttermost daye, the thing that [etc.].
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) iv. f. 210v The vttermost instant is scope enough for him, to reuoke euery thing.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. v. xxii. 195 b The finall end and fall of Veij,..which even in this last and utter~most [L. ultimus] calamitie shewed her mightinesse.
1876 W. Morris Story of Sigurd (1914) 121 And their hearts with doubt were shaken, as if with the Uttermost Horn.
b. Last of a series, store, etc. Chiefly in uttermost farthing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adjective] > last in order
latemostOE
nextOE
aftermostOE
latestOE
lastc1175
outmost1447
terminalc1475
extreme1477
hindmost1526
final1530
lag1552
uttermosta1555
darrein1555
utter1558
lattermost1566
afterward1584
dernier1602
ultime1626
ultimate1728
postreme1814
a1555 H. Latimer 27 Serm. (1562) ii. f. 51v The lord..caste him into prison, there to lye till he had paied the vttermost farthing.
1611 Bible (King James) Matt. v. 26 Thou shalt by no meanes come out thence, till thou hast payd the vttermost farthing. View more context for this quotation
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 183 Vowing not to leaue him, till the vttermost drop of their bloud were spilt.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 446 The first borne is heire to all, even to the uttermost farthing.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Charles I ii, in Wks. (1870) II. 380 The uttermost Farthing exact from those.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. ii. viii. 154 His accounts lie all ready, correct in black-on-white to the uttermost farthing.
B. n.† 2. The very most; = utmost n. 2, 2b Obsolete.† 3. (b)1489 Rolls of Parl. VI. 424 True and faithfull service to the uttermost of his power.a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) v. f. 227v To the vttermost of my skill.1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie ii. 97 That..we defend, to the vttermost of that habilitie which he hath giuen.1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋3 To haue care of Religion,..yea to promote it to the vttermost of their power.1638 in Hamilton Papers (1880) 32 The Couenanters haue..labored to the uttermost of ther pouer to procure the rescinding.1690–1700 Order of Hospitalls sig. Eivv To the best and uttermost of your wits and powers.1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 202 The Natives..will generally be..kind also to the uttermost of their Power.
1.
a. External limit, part, etc.; = utmost n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [noun] > distant parts > the remotest part or place
utmostc825
world-endOE
world's endc1275
utteresta1300
utmostsa1382
uttermost1382
uttermosta1390
arsea1600
apogee1670
jumping-off place1826
Timbuctoo1863
arse-end1896
ass-end1960
a1325 Prose Psalter cxxxviii. 8 Ȝif þat y take my liȝtynges..and wonne in þe vtterest [Dublin MS. vttermast] of þe see.]
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. vi. 15 Lest eny tyme the woodnes of the Lord..doo thee awey fro the vttermoost of the erthe.
c1520 M. Nisbet New Test. in Scots (1905) III. Acts i. 8 In al Judee,..and into the vtermast of the erd.
1563 J. Shute First Groundes Archit. sig. Div From the vttermost of the Abacus.
1851 H. W. Longfellow Golden Legend Nativity 139 The Angel of the uttermost Of all the shining, heavenly host.
b. n. plural = utmost n. 1b. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [noun] > distant parts > the remotest part or place
utmostc825
world-endOE
world's endc1275
utteresta1300
utmostsa1382
uttermost1382
uttermosta1390
arsea1600
apogee1670
jumping-off place1826
Timbuctoo1863
arse-end1896
ass-end1960
a1390 Wycliffite Bible Isaiah xlii. 10 (Douce 369) Singiþ..his praisynge fro þe vttermostis of þe erþ [L. ab extremis terræ]. (See also utmost a. 4 b.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun] > quality or fact of being extreme > highest, utmost, or extreme degree
heightOE
perfectiona1398
utterestc1410
uttermosta1425
tiptoec1440
pinnaclec1450
utmost1472
outmostc1535
extremity1543
abyss1548
top1552
furthest, utmost stretch1558
summa summarum1567
superlative1573
strain1576
extreme1595
fine1596
last1602
yondmost1608
super-superlative1623
pitch1624
utmostness1674
pink1720
supreme1817
ultima Thule1828
peak1902
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 83 For þe vertu of þam aboute fire is þe vttermoste of strenght.
?1477 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) II. 34 You schalle vnderstonde the vttermeste of my stomake.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. ccxv For the encrece & augmentacion thereof to the vttermoost of theyr powers.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Kvii He wolde haue done his vttermoste.
1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 40 In doing wherof, you shall bynde me with the vttermoste of my seruice to acknowledge the honoure.
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. Bv But be resolute, And trie the vttermost Magicke can performe.
1610 R. Field Fifth Bk. of Church lvii. 466 The vttermost therefore that our Aduersaries can say, is [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iv. 164 I'le moue your suite, And seeke to effect it to my vttermost . View more context for this quotation
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 228 The uttermost on either side is vicious.
1668 R. Sanderson Cases Conscience 75 Let the Daughters disobedience deserve all this uttermost of punishment, from the offended Father.
a. End; issue; = utmost n. 3. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [noun] > conclusion or final result
conclusionc1384
uttermost1470
summa summarum1567
loose1589
conclude1643
period1713
outcome1788
pay-off1926
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vii. vii. 223 Aweye wille I not tyl I see the vttermest of this Iourneye.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) iii. f. 172 Zelmane..had now looked to the uttermoste [1674 utmost] of it, and established her minde vpon an assured determination.
b. The extreme or furthest limit (in time). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [noun] > lateness or being advanced in time > the latest or most advanced in time
uttermosta1616
terminus ad quem1847
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 213 Bru. By the eight houre, is that the vttermost? Cin. Be that the vttermost, and faile not then. View more context for this quotation
4. to the uttermost, = utmost n. 4. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [phrase] > thoroughly or to the utmost
to the uttermostc1400
to (also unto) (the) outrancec1425
up to the hilt ( hilts)1598
(up) to the handle1824
to the hilt1950
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > in or to the greatest degree
never solOE
with (also mid) the mostc1275
for the masteryc1325
to the bestc1390
to the uttermostc1400
at the hardest1429
to the utmostc1450
to the skies (also sky)1559
at float1594
all to nothing1606
to the height1609
to the proofa1625
to the last degree1639
to the welkin?1746
(the) worst kind1839
for all it's worth1864
as —— as they make them?a1880
in the highest1897
to the nth (degree, power)1897
up to eleven1987
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxix. 61 Ne he ne shalle nought ben of power..for to descryuen to the utter~most, be it good or badde.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iv. vii. 128 To doo the bataille to the vttermest.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Civ All the appetites of man shalbe replenysshed wt all goodnes, and saciat with glory, to the vttermoste.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 51 The sonne of god..hes sufferit all things to the vttermaist.
1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence Andria iv. i, in Terence in Eng. 69 To labour to the vttermost with might and maine.
1605 London Prodigall iii. ii Her loue will then be tried to the vttermost.
1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea xlix. 120 The cause that every man forceth himselfe to the vttermost, to doe the labour of two men.
1773 J. Hawkesworth Acct. Voy. Southern Hemisphere III. iii. i. 493 They..seemed resolved to defend their coast to the uttermost.
1844 E. B. Browning Lost Bower lxxiii The prayer preserves it greenly, to the last and uttermost.
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles xxvii. 359 Now the Scribes were pressing the advantage which they had gained..to the uttermost.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 139 To withstand the stranger to the uttermost.
5. † a. at the uttermost (also at uttermost), = utmost n. 5. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > a great quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > at (very) most
at (the) mostc1300
at the largea1398
at uttermost1530
at the utmost (at utmost)1619
at the outside1852
1530 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 87 For every pott iijs, or at the uttermuste iiijs.
1535 R. Layton Let. in T. Wright Three Chapters Lett. Suppression Monasteries (1843) 72 On Wedinsday by nyght, at utermoste.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 30v Within three monethes, or foure at the vttermost after they are sowen.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. ii. 6 b Not aboue thirtie leagues distaunt from thence at the vttermost.
b. at one's uttermost, at the utmost point of test or danger. rare.
ΚΠ
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 27 But if I live, So aid me Heaven when at mine uttermost, As I will make her truly my true wife.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
adj.n.1382