extrémov

Extrémov is a term encountered in certain speculative or fictional contexts referring to the most extreme instances within a class of phenomena. In this usage, extrémov denotes a theoretical construct representing limit points along an extremity axis, where a chosen objective function reaches its boundary values. There is no single formal definition; interpretations vary by domain and author, but common features include dependence on a parameterization and a constraint that define a feasible region.

Etymology: the word combines 'extreme' with a suffix reminiscent of movement, occasionally written with an accent to evoke a continental or international feel. It is most often encountered in non-peer-reviewed writings, world-building notes, or thought experiments.

Contexts and interpretations: In mathematical or physical thought experiments, an extrémov may denote an idealized state at which a system attains maximal rate, minimal energy, or a boundary condition. In literary or cinematic fiction, extrémov can symbolize a character’s ultimate test or a society’s brink, used to explore consequences of pushing systems to their limits.

Limitations: The lack of a standardized definition means the term is not widely used in formal science. Critics argue that it risks conflating distinct notions such as extrema, boundary conditions, and phase transitions.

See also: extrema, limit, boundary, optimization, threshold, thought experiment.