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Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
utmost
I.adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
be of the utmost importance/be of paramount importance (=be extremely important)
▪ It is of the utmost importance that this matter is kept confidential.
the utmost caution
▪ You are advised to take the utmost caution when buying a second-hand car.
the utmost contempt
▪ Many people regarded the government with the utmost contempt.
the utmost respect
▪ I have the utmost respect for the prime minister.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ But the trial shows the need to look with the utmost care at staff selection procedures.
▪ I overhear two girls talk in utmost seriousness and gravity about the gross inequities in the grading system.
▪ In fact I have the utmost respect for it.
▪ In implementing his plan, Reagan operated in the utmost secrecy.
▪ In such cases, it is of utmost importance to retrieve it lest the patient dies.
▪ The tale is told with the utmost economy, as if nothing unusual was taking place.
▪ They entertained them with the utmost hospitality and before they bade them farewell Helenus gave them useful advice about their journey.
II.noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ I respect Reggie White and William Fuller and those guys to the utmost.
▪ She was angry at Hippolytus and determined to Punish him to the utmost.
▪ That meant we wanted every flight member to exercise the utmost in creativity and aggressiveness.
▪ The Derry turn called for the utmost in pilot ability.
▪ Then he took the bow and did his utmost to string it.
▪ We must do our utmost to conserve them.
▪ Which is why, if you've got a bad temper, you probably do your utmost to keep it under wraps.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Utmost

Utmost \Ut"most`\, n. The most that can be; the farthest limit; the greatest power, degree, or effort; as, he has done his utmost; try your utmost.

We have tried the utmost of our friends.
--Shak.

Utmost

Utmost \Ut"most`\, a. [OE. utmeste, utemest, AS. ?temest, a superlative fr. ?te out. ????. See Out, and cf. Aftermost, Outmost, Uttermost.]

  1. Situated at the farthest point or extremity; farthest out; most distant; extreme; as, the utmost limits of the land; the utmost extent of human knowledge.
    --Spenser.

    We coasted within two leagues of Antibes, which is the utmost town in France.
    --Evelyn.

    Betwixt two thieves I spend my utmost breath.
    --Herbert.

  2. Being in the greatest or highest degree, quantity, number, or the like; greatest; as, the utmost assiduity; the utmost harmony; the utmost misery or happiness.

    He shall answer . . . to his utmost peril.
    --Shak.

    Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
    --Shak.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
utmost

Old English utmest (Anglian) "outermost," double superlative of ut "out" (see out (adv.)) + -most. Meaning "being of the greatest or highest degree" is from early 14c.

Wiktionary
utmost

a. 1 situated at the most distant limit; farthest. 2 The most extreme; ultimate; greatest. n. maximum; greatest possible amount or quantity.

WordNet
utmost
  1. adj. of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity; "extreme cold"; "extreme caution"; "extreme pleasure"; "utmost contempt"; "to the utmost degree"; "in the uttermost distress" [syn: extreme, utmost(a), uttermost(a)]

  2. highest in extent or degree; "to the last measure of human endurance"; "whether they were accomplices in the last degree or a lesser one was...to be determined individually" [syn: last]

  3. (comparatives of `far') most remote in space or time or order; "had traveled to the farthest frontier"; "don't go beyond the farthermost (or furthermost) tree"; "explored the furthest reaches of space"; "the utmost tip of the peninsula" [syn: farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, uttermost]

  4. n. the greatest possible degree; "he tried his utmost" [syn: uttermost, maximum, level best]

Usage examples of "utmost".

On my view of characters being of real importance for classification, only in so far as they reveal descent, we can clearly understand why analogical or adaptive character, although of the utmost importance to the welfare of the being, are almost valueless to the systematist.

Sir Nevile Henderson, the British ambassador, who had been sent to Berlin by Prime Minister Chamberlain to apply his skills as a professional diplomat to the appeasement of Hitler and who applied them to the utmost, called repeatedly at the German Foreign Office to inquire about German troop movements and to advise caution.

It is my firm conviction that it is the bounden duty, in the interest of the Cause we all love and serve, of the members of the incoming National Assembly, once elected by the delegates at Convention time, to seek and have the utmost regard, individually as well as collectively, for the advice, the considered opinion and the true sentiments of the assembled delegates.

Somewhat rudely pushing the azimuth operator aside, Corporal Hart examined the glowing images on the display tube with the utmost care.

He sat down at the clavier, and after playing several pieces with the utmost skill he began to sing Neapolitan songs which made us all laugh.

I politely begged Santis to return me the ring, and he replied with the utmost coolness that he had done so already.

I addressed her with the utmost calmness, and begged her to give me back the two bills of exchange I had placed in her hands the night before.

And although in a joyless world, the love and unity of the friends in Yonkers imparted the utmost joy to this bereaved family.

We continually receive joyous news of the health and well-being of the Guardian of the Cause of God and eagerly hope that the night of separation may come to an end, that the period of bereavement may soon expire and his blessed person may return to this hallowed Spot with utmost joy and radiance.

But since that period he has behaved towards me with the utmost ingratitude --entered into all the silly cabala against me, blamed all my measures, and turned into ridicule the Legion of Honour.

The cacodylates, although formerly employed in the treatment of phthisis, should be used with the utmost caution.

I must have seemed very generous, for the poor mother came and kissed my hand with the utmost gratitude.

I undertook to do my utmost, and I took care to address only a few words to Angela, but I directed all my gallant attentions to Nanette, who treated me as coolly as could be.

I made haste to lengthen the distance between me and the place where I had found the kindliest hospitality, the utmost politeness, the most tender care, and best of all, new health and strength, and as I walked I could not help feeling terrified at the danger I had been in.