optimum adj : most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied; "an optimum return on capital"; "optimal concentration of a drug" [syn: optimal] n : most favorable condition or greatest degree or amount possible under given circumstances [also: optima (pl)]

English

Etymology

From Latin optimum

Noun

optimum, plural optima or optimums

1. the best or most favorable condition, or the greatest amount or degree possible under specific circumstances

Translations

Adjective

optimum

1. best or most advantageous; surpassing all others

Translations

Related terms

• global optimum
• local optimum
• optima
• optimal
• optimise, optimize
• optimism
• optimist
• optimistic

Latin

Etymology

From optare, ‘choose, prefer’.

Adjective

optimum n, optimus m, optima f

1. best; neuter singular nominative and accusative form of optimus, superlative of bonus, good.

Optimization or optimality is a term that may refer to:

• Optimization (mathematics), trying to find maxima and minima of a function
• Optimization (computer science), improving a system to reduce runtime, bandwidth, memory requirements, or other property of a system; in particular
  • Compiler optimization, improving the performance or efficiency of compiled code
• Search engine optimization, in internet marketing, methodologies aimed at improving the ranking of a website in search engine listings
• Process optimization, in business and engineering, methodologies for improving the efficiency of a production process
• Optimality theory in linguistics.
• Optimal classification, a process which arranges classification element attributes in an order which minimizes the number of queries necessary to identify any particular element.

For discussion of optimality in economics, see utility or efficiency (economics). See also Pareto efficiency (a synonym for "Pareto optimality").

Optimum Releasing is a film and DVD distribution company based in the UK.

Optimum TV is the brand name of a suite of digital media services offered by Cablevision Systems Corporation.

See also

• Maximization
• Management science
• Operations research
• Formal science

best, capital, champion, choice, chosen, cream, elect, elite, excellent, exceptional, exemplar, extraordinary, fat, finest, first-class, first-rate, flower, for the best, greatest, handpicked, ideal, matchless, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, optimal, paragon, paramount, peerless, perfect, perfection, pick, picked, prime, prize, queen, quintessence, quintessential, select, sterling, superlative, supreme, surpassing, the best, the best ever, the tops, the very best, unexcelled, unique, unmatchable, unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed, very best