acme

Noun (1)

acme (plural acmes)

1. A high point: the highest point of any range, the most developed stage of any process, or the culmination of any field or historical period.
   • The Latin tong, euen whan it was, as the Grecians say, in ακμη, that is, at the hiest pitch of all perfitenesse.1570, Roger Ascham, The Scholemaster, f. 31
   • Eum.: Our Loves what are they
     But howerly Sacrifices, only wanting
     The prease and tumult of Solemnity?
     If then i'th' heat and Achme of Devotion
     We drink a new fiame in, can it be ought
     But to increase the Worship?1651, William Cartwright, “The Lady Errant”, in Comedies Tragi-comedies with Other Poems

   Synonyms:

   apex, zenith, apogee, apotheosis, ascendance, capstone, climax, coronation, crown, culmination

2. A paragon: a person or thing representing such a high point.
   • The few words of advice she gave him as to escaping political embarrassments, struck him as the acme of wisdom, and as indicating an interest in his well-being of the kindest description;...1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], “(please specify the page)”, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages...
3. (rare) Full bloom or reproductive maturity.
   • He must be one that can instruct your youth,
     And keep your acme in the state of truth1625 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, The Staple of Newes. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot […], published 1631, →OCLC, (please specify the page), (please specify the scene...
   • The very acme and pitch of life for epic poesy.1728, [Alexander Pope], “(please specify the page)”, in The Dunciad. An Heroic Poem. […], Dublin; London: […] A. Dodd, →OCLC
4. (euphemistic) Sexual orgasm.
   • [He] then holds back his own climax for another ten or fifteen minutes of active copulation until his mate signals him that she is about to reach her acme; then they both ecstatically erupt together.1963, Albert Ellis, If This Be Sexual Heresy, page 120
   • She has enough of the narcissist in her to love exhibiting herself and to have the exhibition itself arouse her and bring her to her acme (that's very literary, even a little affected, but it's a word that pleases me).1987, Jeanne de Berg, Women's Rites
5. Synonym of crisis, the decisive moment in the course of an illness.

   Synonyms:

   crisis

Proper noun (1) capitalized: Acme

IPA/ˈækmi/

Acme

1. A generic or monopoly company.
   • Henry knew better than to alienate one of the Acme secretaries.1968 July, Stan Dryer, “The Fully Automated Love Life of Henry Keanridge”, in Playboy Magazine, page 152
   • [ Netanyahu ] showed everybody how close Iran was to getting nuclear weapons by having this spherical cartoon bomb with a wick coming up like Acme style. I was watching this thing thinking, are we worried about Ahmadinejad or are we worried about Inspector Clouseau?2012 September 29, Adam Felber, “Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me!”, in National Public Radio
2. A village in Kneehill County, Alberta, Canada.
3. An unincorporated community in Hamilton Township, Jackson County, Indiana.
4. An unincorporated community in Dickinson County, Kansas.
5. An unincorporated community in Concordia Parish, Louisiana.
6. A township and unincorporated community therein, in Grand Traverse County, Michigan.
7. An unincorporated community in Columbus County, North Carolina.
8. A township in Hettinger County, North Dakota.
9. An unincorporated community in Westmoreland County and Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
10. A ghost town in Oklahoma.
11. A ghost town in Texas.
12. A census-designated place in Washington.
13. An unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia.

Noun (2) capitalized: Acme

IPA/ˈækmi/

Acme (uncountable)

1. A 29° trapezoidal threading used for various fittings and adapters.

Proper noun (2) capitalized: ACME

ACME

1. Alternative letter-case form of Acme, particularly as a generic company name.

Noun (3) capitalized: ACME

ACME (uncountable)

1. Alternative letter-case form of Acme, particularly as a threading format.