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extremis

extremity

noun eks-TREH-mees Rare

Origin: From Catalan culer, from cul (backside), recalling early fans whose backsides showed over the stadium wall.

Also means

last resort

Usage Note

Extremis in Spanish almost always appears in the Latin phrase in extremis, meaning 'at the last moment' or 'in a desperate situation' — ganó in extremis ('won at the last minute'). As a standalone noun it is uncommon outside of legal or ecclesiastical Latin. The phrase is widely used in sports journalism in Spain.

Examples

"El equipo marcó el gol in extremis."

Natural Translation

The team scored the goal at the very last moment.

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