Extreme \Ex*treme"\, n.
   1. The utmost point or verge; that part which terminates a
      body; extremity.
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   2. Utmost limit or degree that is supposable or tolerable;
      hence, furthest degree; any undue departure from the mean;
      -- often in the plural: things at an extreme distance from
      each other, the most widely different states, etc.; as,
      extremes of heat and cold, of virtue and vice; extremes
      meet.
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            His parsimony went to the extreme of meanness.
                                                  --Bancroft.
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   3. An extreme state or condition; hence, calamity, danger,
      distress, etc. "Resolute in most extremes." --Shak.
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   4. (Logic) Either of the extreme terms of a syllogism, the
      middle term being interposed between them.
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   5. (Math.) The first or the last term of a proportion or
      series.
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   In the extreme as much as possible. "The position of the
      Port was difficult in the extreme." --J. P. Peters.
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in the extreme
 adj.

    A preferred superlative suffix for many hackish terms. See, for example,
    obscure in the extreme under obscure, and compare highly.