ultim- +

(Latin: end, last, final)

A primo ad ultimum. (Latin motto)
Translation: "From first to last."
Ad finem ultimum. (Latin motto)
Translation: "To the final end."

Said to be the motto of the Canadian Space Agency.

penult, penultima (s) (noun); penults, penultimas (pl)
1. The second to the last item in a series of things; especially, the next to the last syllable of a word: In the word penultima, the penult is ti as shown in, pe•nul•ti•ma.
2. Etymology: a shortened term for penultima, from Latin paenultima, feminine of paenultimus, "next to last" from paene, "almost" + ultimus, "last".
penultimate (pi NUL tuh mit, pin UL tuh mit) (adjective) (not comparable)
1. A reference to the second or next to the last in a series or a sequence: A penultimate segment in the word definition is ni as in def•i•ni•tion or it could refer to the next to last chapter in a book or that there is only one more show in a TV series.
2. Etymology: from Latin paene, "almost" and ultimus, "last".
Pertaining to something that is next to the last.
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ultima
The last or final syllable of a word.
Ultima forsan.
It's later than you think; literally, "Perhaps the last".

These words are inscribed on some clocks to indicate that the moment of death; indeed, the moment of eternal judgment, may be at hand. The wise person treats every hour as though it were his/her last.

ultima ratio
1. The final argument. This phrase has literal applications, for example, "Your fourth drunk-driving citation is the ultima ratio for suspension of your driver's license."
2. The final sanction; the last argument; the last resort; the means last to be resorted to.
ultima ratio
The final argument.

The final argument of kings. Louis XIV of France, recognized that force is the final argument, so he directed that his cannons carry the engraving ultima ratio regum (1650). As a result, this phrase usually signifies "war" or "the use of military weapons as a force". The phrase was adopted in the form of Ultima ratio regis for the same purpose which appears on cannon cast for Frederick the Great after 1742.

ultima ratio regum
The final argument of kings. Louis XIV of France, recognized that force is the final argument, so he directed that his cannons carry the engraving "ultima ratio regum" (1650). As a result, this phrase usually signifies "war" or "the use of military weapons; force". The phrase was adopted in the form of "Ultima ratio regis" for the same purpose which appears on cannon cast for Frederick the Great, king of Prussia, c. 1742.
Ultima semper expectanda dies homini, dicique beatus ante obitum nemo supremaque funera debet.
Man's last day must ever be awaited, and none to be counted happy until his death, until his last funeral rites are paid.
ultima Thule
The end of the world.

The end of the world. Ancient Greek mariners believed that the northern end of the world was an island called Thule, said to be six days' sailing distance from Britain. The precise location of Thule is not known today, but ultima Thule, mentioned in Virgil's Georgics, survives as a useful expression for describing any place whose appearance gives one the feeling of standing at the end of the world perhaps one of the Shetland Islands.

Figuratively it refers to any distant frontier or remote goal. It may be of interest to note that the current list of Chemical Elements is named for this unknown "end of the world": thulium; symbol, Tm; atomic number, 69; which was discovered and named by Per Teodor Cleve in 1879.

ultima Thule
1. Figuratively any distant frontier or remote goal.
2. The "end of the world" or to the "final edge" of the earth.

Ancient Greek mariners believed that the northern end of the world was an island called Thule, said to be six days' sailing distance from Britain.

The precise location of Thule is not known today, but ultima Thule, mentioned in Virgil's Georgics, survives as a useful expression for describing any place whose appearance gives one the feeling of standing at the end of the world. Maybe it was one of the Shetland Islands.

It may be of interest to note that the current list of Chemical Elements has an element named for this unknown "end of the world": thulium; symbol, Tm; atomic number, 69; which was discovered by Per Teodor Cleve in 1879.

Ultima vale.
Farewell for the last time.

Also, Supremum vale or "Farewell for the last time"; that is, just before death takes over.

Ultima voluntas testatoris est perimplenda secundum veram intentionem suam.
Used in law: the last will of a testator is to be fulfilled according to his true intention.
ultimacy (s) (noun), ultimacies (pl)
The quality or state of reaching the maximum of something: Ultimqacy can refer to the final or most extreme in size, time, degree, or distance.

Mrs. Thompson was experiencing the ultimacy in sorrow and despair after losing her husband, children, house, and all of her belongings in the terrible war.

Links to related end words Related "end" units: fin-, term-.