extrem1ty

[Fr. extremite, from Lat. ex 1754 4. The points in the utmost degree of opposition, or at the utmost distance from each other. "Made up of all the worst extremities Of youth and age." Denham: Sophy, i. 1. 5. The highest or utmost degree; the extreme point, as of pain, suffering, heat, cold, . "Whether the extremity of bodily pain were not the greatest evil that human nature was capable of suffering." -Ray: On the Creation. (Epist. Dedic.) 6. A condition or position of the greatest distre , difficulty, or danger. "Even in that extremity the Mendip miners stood bravely to their arms, and sold their lives dearly."Macaulay: Hist . Eng., ch. v. 7. The worst or lowest degree or kind. "The world is running mad after farce, the extremity dramatic writing."-Dryden. Cleomenes. (Pref.) of bad poetry; or rather the judgment that is fallen on II. Zool . (pl.): The limbs, i . e ., the legs and arms, because they terminate the body in the particular direction in which they are extended. Crabb thus discriminates between extremity and extreme: " Extremity is used in the proper or the improper sense; extreme in the improper sense: we speak of the extremity of a line or an avenue, the extremity of a dre , but the extreme of the fashion. In the moral sense, extremity is applicable to the outward circumstances; extreme to the opinions and conduct of men: in matters of dispute between individuals it is a happy thing to guard against coming to extremities ; it is the characteristic of volatile tempers to be always in extremes, either the extreme of joy or the extreme of sorrow." (Crabb: Eng. Synon.) (2) For the difference between extremity and end , see END.