Extremity

Extremity - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

EXTREM'ITY, n. [L. extremitas.] The utmost point or side; the verge; the point or border that terminates a thing; as the extremities of a country.

1. The utmost parts. The extremities of the body, in painting and sculpture, are the head, hands and feet; but in anatomy, the term is applied to the limbs only.

2. The utmost point; the highest or furthest degree; as the extremity of pain or suffering; the extremity of cruelty. Even charity and forbearance may be carried to extremity.

3. Extreme or utmost distress, straits or difficulties; as a city besieged and reduced to extremity.

4. The utmost rigor or violence. The Greeks have endured oppression in its utmost extremity.

5. The most aggravated state.

The world is running after farce,the extremity of bad poetry.