English → Latin
“maxim” in Latin
ratiōreason, reasoning, explanation, ground, motive, rationality, rationale, purpose; calculation, account, accounting, reckoīnstituōto set up, establish, found, institute or arrange; to train, teach, instruct, educate (usually by a course of training);lēxthe legal machinery of a state, the law; a law, statute, bill; the laws regarded as a body, the constitutionrēgularule, bar; ruler (measuring or drawing device)opīniōopinion, conjecture, imagination, fancy, belief, expectation; reputation, esteem; report, rumorcōnsiliumplan, intention, design, purpose; counsel, advice; determination, resolve, resolutionvērōto tell the truthhonestusfull of or regarded with honor; honorable; of high birth; noble; distinguished; respectable; eminent; bring or deserving
The English word maxim itself goes back to Latin maximus, through maxima.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
maxim
Principle, axiom, ratio; institutum; lex; regula: to make it a maxim with one’s self, legem aliquem sibi imponere.
Opinion, position, opinio; consilium: good maxims, consilia recta, vera, honesta.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for maxim?
- The usual Latin words for “maxim” are ratiō, īnstituō, lēx; also rēgula, opīniō, cōnsilium. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.