What does "extremity" mean?

Extremity: (Zoöl.) One of locomotive appendages of an animal; a limb; a leg or an arm of man.

Additional senses

  1. 2.The utmost point; highest degree; most aggravated or intense form. "The extremity of bodily pain." Ray.
  2. 3.The highest degree of inconvenience, pain, or suffering; greatest need or peril; extreme need; necessity. Divers evils and extremities that follow upon such a compulsion shall here be set in view. Milton. Upon mere extremity he summoned this last Parliament. Milton.

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