non plus ultra

See also: Non Plus Ultra

Dutch

Etymology

From Latin non plus ultra, the name given to the type by the Enschedé Foundry in Haarlem, who first cut it.

Noun

non plus ultra

  1. (printing, dated) A small size of type, equivalent to 2 point.

Synonyms

  • vierde petit

Descendants

  • German: Non Plus Ultra

Italian

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin nōn plūs ultra.

Noun

non plus ultra m (invariable)

  1. the very best, the ne plus ultra

Further reading

  • non plus ultra in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana

Latin

Pillars of Hercules, Germany, 16th c.

Alternative forms

Etymology

Literally, “nothing further beyond”, nōn (not) + plūs (more) + ultrā (beyond). An ancient post-classical Mediterranean aphorism, fabulously alleged to have been inscribed somewhere upon the Pillars of Hercules as a warning to ships to sail no further. Adopted during the Renaissance as a metaphor for the stifling influence of ancient philosophy on the progress of thought. Compare Gādēs.

Pronunciation

Phrase

nōn plūs ultra

  1. A warning to not go beyond (this point).

Derived terms

Descendants

See also

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