optimum
adjEtymology From New Latin, neuter of Latin optimus (“best, very good”), from the root in ops (“work”) or omnis (“all”).
1
The best or most advantageous; surpassing all others.
- optimum conditions for climbing
optimum
nounUS /ˈɑptɪməm/ · UK /ˈɒptɪməm/
Etymology From New Latin, neuter of Latin optimus (“best, very good”), from the root in ops (“work”) or omnis (“all”).
1
The best or most favorable condition, or the greatest amount or degree possible under specific sets of comparable circumstances.
2
Biology, Climatology, Geography, Geology, History, Human sciences, Natural sciences, Paleontology, Sciences Any long period of time marked by a persistently warm climate; a climatic optimum.
- Synonyms
- pessimum
- Derived terms
- climatic optimum, global optimum, Little Optimum, local optimum, suboptimum