Link Centre Dictionary

acme

UK/ˈækmi/ US/ˈækmi/ rare rare

noun

1.

the highest level or degree attainable

  • “his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty”
  • “the artist”
  • “;”
  • “;”
  • “;”
  • “;”
2.

the highest point (of something)

  • “at the peak of the pyramid”

Origin

From acme (“highest, best”). As a threading, from the original 1894 manufacturer, the Acme Screw Machine Company of Hartford, Connecticut. In its use as a generic company for comedic effect or to avoid trademark issues, most popularized by the Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes cartoons but already very commonly used by 20th century American companies as a way to lead the professional listings in yellow page phone books. The common belief that Acme would be an acronym for "A Company Making Everything" is a misconception.

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.