ultimatum
/ʌltɪˈmeɪtəm
/noun (plural ultimatums or ultimata /ʌltɪˈmeɪtə/)
A final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations: their employers issued an ultimatum demanding an immediate return to work...
- In recent years he has repeatedly issued ultimatums demanding that area plants become more profitable.
- This should be an ultimatum - accept new terms and conditions or think about an alternative career.
- Instead, he issued an ultimatum to the people who are suffering under this occupation.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from Latin, neuter past participle of ultimare 'come to an end'.
Rhymes
- electronvolt
- electron wave
- electronystagmogram
- electronystagmograph
- electronystagmographic
- electronystagmographically
- electronystagmography
- electro-oculogram
- electrooculograph
- electro-oculographic
- electrooculographically
- electro-oculography
- electro-optic
- electro-optical
- electro-optically
- electro-optics
- electro-osmosis
- electro-osmotic
- electropaint
- electropainting
- electropathic
- electropathology
- electropathy
- electropherogram
- electrophile