Maximal

Quick meaning: Maximal is an adjective meaning Largest, greatest (in magnitude), highest, most.

Meaning

Largest, greatest (in magnitude), highest, most.

More Meanings

1. (mathematics, of a sequence) Larger than any previous term in the sequence.
2. (mathematics, of an element of a poset) Such that no other element is greater (with respect to the given partial order).
3. (mathematics) The element of a set with the greatest magnitude.
4. (mathematics) Said of an ideal of a ring or a filter of a lattice: that it is as large as it can be without being trivial (improper).
5. (logic) Said of a set of well-formed formulas: that it is as large as it can be without being inconsistent; i.e. that for any well-formed formula φ, the set contains either φ or ~φ.

Example Sentences

In the sequence (1, 2, 10, 5, 12, 6), the fifth term, f(5) = 12, is a maximal term, as each of the first 4 terms are smaller than 12.

With respect to the ordering induced by set-theoretic inclusion, the set #92;#123;#92;#123;2#92;#125;,#92;#123;1,2#92;#125;,#92;#123;2,3#92;#125;#92;#125; has two maximal elements: #92;#123;1,2#92;#125; and #92;#123;2,3#92;#125;

The organification of iodide in the thyroid gland was described using a second order rate constant (KthybindC, /nmol/L*hr/kg thyroid weight) fitted to provide thyroidal iodide stores near the maximal value, which increased with age.

Word Forms

• maximals

Synonyms for maximal

Depending on context, synonyms include maximum, extreme, ultimate, ferocious, exquisite, intense.

Antonyms for maximal

Common opposites include minimal, minimum.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include maximum, outside, supreme, peak, top, greatest.

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