Literary notes about maximum (AI summary)
The word "maximum" proves to be a remarkably versatile term in literature, employed both in its literal sense of physical or numerical limits and as a metaphor for the utmost degree of qualitative or abstract attributes. In scientific and technical texts, it denotes precise upper limits—such as the maximum altitude reached by a rocket ([1]), maximum pressure in an underwater setting ([2]), or the speed and thrust of mechanical devices ([3], [4], [5], [6]). Conversely, in philosophical, political, and literary works, "maximum" conveys the idea of an ideal extreme or the most complete expression of a quality, ranging from the maximum of patriotism ([7], [8]) and moral resource ([9]) to personal risk and creative splendor ([10], [11]). This wide-ranging usage underlines the term's ability to encapsulate both measurable, empirical boundaries and the abstract zeniths of human experience and expression ([12], [13], [14]).
- The maximum altitude achieved was 21,800 meters (71,500 feet).
— from Rockets, Missiles, and Spacecraft of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution - "You're up to maximum pressure?"
— from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World by Jules Verne - The propellant burned for 5 to 10 seconds, producing an estimated maximum thrust of 136 kilograms (300 pounds).
— from Rockets, Missiles, and Spacecraft of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution - Freedom 7 traveled at a maximum speed of 8335 kilometers (5180 miles) per hour, going 485 kilometers (302 miles) downrange.
— from Rockets, Missiles, and Spacecraft of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution - Maximum span Antenna booms 5.6 m. (18 ft., 6 in.)
— from Rockets, Missiles, and Spacecraft of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution - The modem sends data to the telephone line at 9600 bps, which is this modem's maximum line speed.
— from The Online World by Odd De Presno - ( Moniteur, Seance du 20 Mai 1793. )—Danton gruffly rebukes him, from time to time: a Maximum of Patriotism, whom one can neither own nor disown!
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - The Mountain murmurs, ill at ease: this 'Maximum of Patriotism,' how shall they either own him or disown him?
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - Hence the paradox of war: just because it calls for the maximum material performance, it calls out a maximum of moral resource.
— from Introduction to the Science of Sociology by E. W. Burgess and Robert Ezra Park - His need was to exist, and to move onwards at the greatest possible risk, and with a maximum of privation.
— from Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad - When painting is still at this stage, and is employed on hieroglyphics, it may reach the maximum of decorative splendour.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - Maximum will be abolished; let Sansculottism find food where it can.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - Wherein was something finite and sad, for the human soul at its maximum wants a sense of the infinite.
— from The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence - It marries old opinion to new fact so as ever to show a minimum of jolt, a maximum of continuity.
— from Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James