Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - extreme

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin extremus, superlative of exter, exterus being on the outside — more at exterior  Date: 15th century  1.  a. existing in a very high degree ~ poverty  b. going to great or exaggerated lengths ; radical went on an ~ diet  c. exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected ~ weather conditions  2. archaic last  3. situated at the farthest possible point from a center the country's ~ north  4.  a. most advanced or thoroughgoing the ~ political left  b. maximum  5.  a. of, relating to, or being an outdoor activity or a form of a sport (as skiing) that involves an unusually high degree of physical risk ~ mountain biking down steep slopes  b. involved in an ~ sport an ~ snowboarder  Synonyms: see excessive  • ~ness noun  II. noun  Date: 1555  1.  a. something situated at or marking one end or the other of a range ~s of heat and cold  b. the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion  c. the major term or minor term of a syllogism  2.  a. a very pronounced or excessive degree  b. highest degree ; maximum  3. an ~ measure or expedient going to ~s