Paramount
/ˈpær.əˌmaʊnt/noun
Of the greatest importance or highest rank.
Did you know?Paramount comes from a phrase meaning “to the top” or “to the highest point,” from Old French and ultimately Latin roots tied to climbing and rising above.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
mons, montis
“a mountain; a high hill”
Late Latin
Latin
paramontem
“to the highest point; at the summit”
Old French
Old French
paramount
“superior; supreme in rank”
14th Century
Middle English
paramount
“highest in rank, authority, or importance”
Modern English
English
paramount
“chief; preeminent; of greatest importance”