Literary notes about acme (AI summary)
The term "acme" in literature is frequently employed as a marker of the highest point of quality, excellence, or extremity, often with a touch of irony or hyperbole. Writers use the word to denote the pinnacle of desired traits—whether it’s humor, perfection, or propriety—as seen when one character admires a witty remark as the "exact acme of wit and wisdom" [1] or when an action is deemed the "acme of perfection" [2]. At times, the term underscores ultimate achievement or climax, such as reaching the "acme of perfection" in a long spiritual journey [3] or of heroism in a military context [4]. Conversely, "acme" may also serve to highlight extreme absurdity or failure, like describing an act as the "acme of stupidity" [5] or portraying a moment of terror as reaching its zenith of horror [6]. Thus, across diverse narratives and genres—from satire to epic journeys—the word consistently encapsulates the notion of an ultimate, often idealized or exaggerated, peak.
- A hit at the popish clergy was, in my good uncle's eyes, the exact acme of wit and wisdom.
— from Devereux — Volume 01 by Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron - This [Pg 021] firm, whose product is considered the acme of perfection, makes nothing but actions.
— from Piano Tuning: A Simple and Accurate Method for Amateurs by J. Cree (Jerry Cree) Fischer - After nine years in this retreat Miao Shan had reached the acme of perfection.
— from Myths and Legends of China by E. T. C. Werner - I learn incidentally that the acme of all heroism is the cornetcy of a dragoon regiment.
— from The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales by Bret Harte - That is but one case of the wider truth that an ungodly life is the acme of stupidity, a tragic mistake, as well as a great sin.
— from Expositions of Holy Scripture Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets. St. Matthew Chapters I to VIII by Alexander Maclaren - the dark mass began to move—to heave—and then he thought the very acme of horror was reached.
— from The Sign of the Spider by Bertram Mitford
