How Do You Spell ULTIMA THULE?

Pronunciation: [ˈʌltɪmə θjˈuːl] (IPA)

"Ultima Thule" is a Latin phrase referring to a far-off, remote place. Pronounced as "ul-ti-muh thoo-lee" /ˈʌl.tɪ.mə ˈθu.li/, the first part "Ultima" means "last" or "farthest" while "Thule" may have referred to a land in the Northern Hemisphere, most likely Greenland or Iceland. The spelling of "Thule" has been debated due to the varied transliterations of the Greek letter theta to Latin alphabet. Nonetheless, the phrase "Ultima Thule" has become popular, describing the limits of human exploration and imagination.

ULTIMA THULE Meaning and Definition

  1. Ultima Thule is a term of Latin origin that can be defined as a distant or remote place, the farthest point or frontier, or the outermost limit of exploration. It originally referred to a mythical, unreachable region or island in the far northern parts of the world.

    In ancient times, scholars believed that Ultima Thule represented the edge of the known world, beyond which lay unexplored territories or even a gateway to other realms. The term has been associated with various real or imagined geographic locations over the centuries, including Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, or even mythical lands.

    In contemporary usage, Ultima Thule often symbolizes the furthest extent of human knowledge, discovery, or understanding. It can refer to the most extreme or remote regions of the Earth, uncharted territories, or the limits of human exploration.

    Additionally, Ultima Thule has gained significance within the field of space exploration. NASA's New Horizons mission, for example, used the term to refer to a flyby of the Kuiper Belt Object 2014 MU69, which is now known as Ultima Thule. This new association further emphasizes the idea of pushing the boundaries of human exploration beyond what was previously thought possible.

    Overall, Ultima Thule serves as a metaphorical representation of the edge, the final frontier, or the farthest point of human knowledge and exploration.

  2. Furthest Thule.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ULTIMA THULE

  • yltima thule
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  • jltima thule
  • iltima thule
  • 8ltima thule
  • 7ltima thule
  • uktima thule
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  • ulrima thule
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  • ulyima thule
  • ul6ima thule
  • ul5ima thule
  • ultuma thule
  • ultjma thule
  • ultkma thule
  • ultoma thule

Etymology of ULTIMA THULE

The etymology of the phrase "Ultima Thule" can be traced back to ancient Greek and Latin.

The word "ultima" comes from Latin, where it means "farthest" or "most remote". It is derived from the superlative form of the adjective "ulterior", meaning "beyond" or "farther". In Latin, "ultima" is associated with a concept of reaching the outermost boundaries or limits.

The term "Thule" has its origins in Greek mythology. In the ancient Greek belief, Thule referred to a distant and mysterious land located beyond the northernmost known regions. It was considered a land or island that remained beyond the world's edge. Although its exact location was uncertain, some theories suggested it could be present-day Iceland or Greenland.

The expression "Ultima Thule" gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in medieval geographies.

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