summum bonum

American  

[soom-oom boh-noom, suhm-uhm boh-nuhm] / ˈsʊm ʊm ˈboʊ nʊm, ˈsʌm əm ˈboʊ nəm /

noun

Latin.

1. the highest or chief good.

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summum bonum British  

/ ˈsʊmʊm ˈbɒnʊm /

noun

1. the principle of goodness in which all moral values are included or from which they are derived; highest or supreme good

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Example Sentences

“Stealing the mascot is the summum bonum. If you can capture that, there are no boundaries in life.”

From New York Times

The modern student of monasticism, bred in an age which regards freedom as its summum bonum and holds discipline at a discount, cannot but feel sympathy with the nuns.

From Project Gutenberg

It is true that pleasure is the summum bonum of Epicurus, but his conception of that pleasure is profoundly modified by the Socratic doctrine of prudence and the eudaemonism of Aristotle.

From Project Gutenberg

This, and perhaps a battle-field and a dashing charge every now and then, would probably have realized his dreams of the summum bonum.

From Project Gutenberg

A man often deems that negative condition of freedom the summum bonum; not so an affectionate woman.

From Project Gutenberg