non plus ultra

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word non plus ultra. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word non plus ultra, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say non plus ultra in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word non plus ultra you have here. The definition of the word non plus ultra will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofnon plus ultra, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: Non Plus Ultra

Dutch

Etymology

From Latin non plus ultra, the name given to the type by the Enschedé Foundry in Haarlem, who first cut it.

Noun

non plus ultra

  1. (printing, dated) a small size of type, equivalent to 2 point

Synonyms

Descendants

  • German: Non Plus Ultra

Italian

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin nōn plūs ultra.

Noun

non plus ultra m (invariable)

  1. the very best, the ne plus ultra

Further reading

  • non plus ultra in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana

Latin

Pillars of Hercules, Germany, 16th c.

Alternative forms

Etymology

Literally, “nothing further beyond”, nōn (not) + plūs (more) + ultrā (beyond). An ancient post-classical Mediterranean aphorism, fabulously alleged to have been inscribed somewhere upon the Pillars of Hercules as a warning to ships to sail no further. Adopted during the Renaissance as a metaphor for the stifling influence of ancient philosophy on the progress of thought. Compare Gādēs.

Pronunciation

Phrase

nōn plūs ultra

  1. A warning to not go beyond (this point).

Derived terms

Descendants

See also