extremity

n. 极端；绝境；非常手段；手足

英文词源

extremity (n.): late 14c., "one of two things at the extreme ends of a scale," from Old French estremite (13c.), from Latin extremitatem (nominative extremitas) "the end of a thing," from extremus "outermost;" see extreme (adj.), the etymological sense of which is better preserved in this word. Meaning "utmost point or end" is from c. 1400; meaning "limb or organ of locomotion, appendage" is from early 15c. (compare extremities). Meaning "highest degree" of anything is early 15c. Related: Extremital.

1. 因为人的四肢、手足在躯体、躯干的两端，由此引申为此意。

1. In spite of the extremity of her seclusion she was sane.: 尽管完全与世隔绝，她依然心智健全。

2. The lake is situated at the eastern extremity of the mountain range.: 湖位于山脉最东端。

5. Only in extremity, when his defences had been reduced by six weeks of bombing, was he ready to leave.: 经过6周的轰炸，他的防御已经不堪一击，在这种极端情况下他才愿意离开。