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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

maxim

/ˈmæk.sɪm/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does maxim mean?

noun

  1. A precept; a succinct statement or observation of a rule of conduct or moral teaching.
  2. Alternative letter-case form of Maxim.
  3. The Maxim gun, a British machine gun of various calibres used by the British army from 1889 until World War I.
More meanings (4)

noun

  1. Any machine gun that derives from the design pattern of Maxim's patented design
  2. (archaic) A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.
  3. (informal, obsolete) A machine gun

proper noun

  1. A surname

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈmæk.sɪm/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/ˈmæk.səm/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

The frequency of this had the effect to establish among the slaves the maxim, that a still tongue makes a wise head.
Frederick DouglassMy Bondage and My FreedomProject Gutenberg ebook #202
In the experience and practice of this maxim, which is a very true one, consists all the benefit I reap from books.
Michel de MontaigneEssays of Michel de Montaigne — CompleteTranslated by Charles CottonProject Gutenberg ebook #3600
More book examples (3)
It was a fundamental maxim of the Lacedaemonian commonwealth, that the post of admiral should not be conferred twice on the same person.
Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James MadisonThe Federalist PapersProject Gutenberg ebook #18
Truth to say, he was a conscientious man, and ever bore in mind the golden maxim, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.”
Washington IrvingThe Legend of Sleepy HollowProject Gutenberg ebook #41
The consciousness of this danger has led to the adoption of the modified maxim, Festina lente, Hasten, but with steps deliberate and cautious.
William GodwinThoughts on Man, His Nature, Productions and Discoveries Interspersed with Some Particulars Respecting the AuthorProject Gutenberg ebook #743