extremity

Noun

extremity (countable and uncountable, plural extremities or (obsolete) extremitys)

1. The most extreme or furthest point of something.
   • [B]eſtowe your love on him, who, were it not to do you ſervice, would through the extremitie of love rather wiſh to die then live.1576, George Whetstone, “The Castle of Delight: […]”, in The Rocke of Regard, […], London: […] [H. Middleton] for Robert Waley, →OCLC; republished in J[ohn] P[ayne] Collier, editor, The Rocke of...
   • Any ſphere revolving as on an axis, muſt have two points on its ſurface at the extremities of its axis, that do not revolve at all; theſe points, with reſpect to the Earth, are called its poles.1780, J[ohn] Robertson, William Wales, “Section II. Of Terrestrial Astronomy.”, in The Elements of Navigation; Containing the Theory and Practice. With the Necessary Tables, and Compendiums for...

   Synonyms:

   tip

2. An extreme measure.
   • The Fort on the Mount St. Catherine after a Month's Siege was reduc'd to ſuch Extremitys, that they who defended it were forc'd to treat about a Surrender: and Aug. 29. 'twas agreed between the Engliſh Commiſſioners, Edward Earl of Mortaigne, Thomas Earl of Salisbury, and Fitz-Hugh, and the French...1704, [Thomas Goodwin the younger], The History of the Reign of Henry the Fifth, King of England, &c. In Nine Books, London: Printed by J. D. for S. and J. Sprint, J. Robinson, J. Taylor, Andr[ew]...
   • But if they ſtill continue obſtinate, or offer to raiſe Inſurrections, he proceeds to the laſt Remedy, by letting the Iſland drop directly upon their Heads, which makes a universal Deſtruction both of Houſes and Men. However, this is an Extremity to which the Prince is ſeldom driven, neither indeed...1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “A Phænomenon Solved by Modern Philosophy and Astronomy. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […]...
3. A hand or foot.
   • Guillain–Barré syndrome causes one to not be able to move one’s extremities.
   • Resection is preferable to amputation in the greater number of lesions of the upper extremities, as the principal function is that of mobility.—Sedillot. […] Resection of the phalanges, in whole or part, is occasionally required as the result of deep-seated inflammation.1862, Stephen Smith, “On Resections”, in Hand-book of Surgical Operations, 3rd edition, New York, N.Y.: Baillière Brothers, 440 Broadway, →OCLC, page 179
4. A limb (“major appendage of a human or animal such as an arm, leg, or wing”).
   • The danger of wounds of the extremities consists in the injury done to the blood-vessels, nerves, articulations, and bones.1878, D[avid] Hayes Agnew, “Wounds of the Extremities”, in The Principles and Practice of Surgery, being a Treatise on Surgical Diseases and Injuries, volume I, Philadelphia, Pa.; London: J. B....
   • Congestive Chills.—Give from ten to fifteen drops of spirits of turpentine in a wineglass of toddy. Make a liniment of equal parts of turpentine and camphor. With this rub the spine, chest and extremities well; but not enough to blister. Rub the extremities until reaction takes place. A cloth...1898, A. P. Hill, “Medical Receipts”, in Mrs. Hill’s New Cook-book; or, Housekeeping Made Easy. A Practical System for Private Families, in Town and Country Especially Adapted to the Southern States....

   Synonyms:

   appendage, limb