magnum

[ mag-nuhm ]

noun

1. a large wine bottle having a capacity of two ordinary bottles or 1.5 liters (1.6 quarts).
2. a magnum cartridge or firearm.

adjective

1. (of a cartridge) equipped with a larger charge than other cartridges of the same size.
2. (of a firearm) using such a cartridge.
3. Informal. unusually great in power or size:

   a magnum spotlight; a magnum dosage.

magnum

/ ˈmæɡnəm /

noun

1. a wine bottle holding the equivalent of two normal bottles (approximately 52 fluid ounces)

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnum¹

1780–90; < Latin, neuter of magnus large; in reference to firearms, originally used as a trademark by the Smith and Wesson Co.

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnum¹

C18: from Latin: a big thing, from magnus large

Example Sentences

His magnum opus was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” widely agreed upon as the bestselling album of all time.

From Los Angeles Times

Miller’s magnum opus, “Fury Road” is at once the apotheosis of his cinematic genius — it’s one of the great movies of the last decade — and a departure narratively and tonally from the previous films.

From New York Times

He took another Greyhound to Los Angeles, this time with a .357 magnum his brother had purchased for him.

From Los Angeles Times

It ended as he was trying to finish writing “Comic Book Wars,” his eagerly awaited magnum opus about the industry.

From New York Times

Referred to as Serra’s magnum opus, with its vast and wavy, ribbon-like pattern and 183 tons of steel, “Band” took more than two years to create and install.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bag
• bottle
• bowl
• box
• bucket
• can
• canister
• capsule
• carton
• crate
• dish
• jar
• jug
• kettle
• package
• packet
• pail
• pot
• pouch
• sack