massima

maxim

noun MAHS-see-mah Rare

Origin: From Latin maxima (sententia), the greatest (saying), feminine of maximus.

Also means

highest temperature

Usage Note

Massima means a guiding principle or proverb (una massima di vita — 'a life maxim'), and in weather forecasts la massima refers to the day's peak temperature (la massima di oggi è 32 gradi). As the feminine form of the adjective massimo, it can also function as 'the highest' in set phrases. Do not confuse with massimo (the noun/adjective meaning 'maximum').

Examples

"La sua massima preferita è 'non rimandare a domani'."

Natural Translation

His favorite maxim is 'don't put off until tomorrow'.

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