magnum opus
English Edit
Etymology Edit
From Latin magnum opus (“great work”).[1]
Pronunciation Edit
- (Received Pronunciation) enPR: măg'nəm ōʹpəs, IPA(key): /ˌmæɡnəm ˈəʊpəs/
- (US) enPR: măg'nəm ōʹpəs, IPA(key): /ˌmæɡnəm ˈoʊpəs/
Noun Edit
| Examples |
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magnum opus (plural magna opera or magnum opuses or (nonstandard) magnum opi)
- A great or important work of literature, music or art, a masterpiece.
- The best, most popular, or most renowned achievement of an author or artist, representing their major life effort.
- The 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four is widely considered to be George Orwell's magnum opus.
- (alchemy) The process of working with the prima materia to create the philosopher's stone.
Usage notes Edit
The Latin plural magna opera may be preferred in some academic and literary contexts; in popular usage the English-style plural magnum opuses is more common. The plural magnum opi, although rare and likely regarded as incorrect in formal works, does see some use.
Synonyms Edit
Translations Edit
masterpiece
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the greatest work of an author or artist
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References Edit
- ^ “magnum opus”, in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2000, →ISBN.
Further reading Edit
magnum opus on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Anagrams Edit
Polish Edit
Alternative forms Edit
Etymology Edit
Unadapted borrowing from Latin magnum opus.
Pronunciation Edit
Noun Edit
magnum opus n (indeclinable)
- magnum opus (masterpiece)
- magnum opus (greatest work of an author or artist)
- (alchemy) magnum opus (process of working with the prima materia to create the philosopher's stone)
Further reading Edit
- magnum opus in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
- magnum opus in Polish dictionaries at PWN
Swedish Edit
Etymology Edit
Noun Edit
- magnum opus (great(est) work)
Declension Edit
This entry needs an inflection-table template.