acme

acme · noun¹

1. Ancient Greek · borrowed fromἀκμή
2. Ancient Greek · borrowed fromἀκμή
3. English todayacme

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀκμή (akmḗ, “point; high point”).

Acme · proper noun, noun²

From acme (“highest, best”). As a threading, from the original 1894 manufacturer, the Acme Screw Machine Company of Hartford, Connecticut. In its use as a generic company for comedic effect or to avoid trademark issues, most popularized by the Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes cartoons but already very commonly used by 20th century American companies as a way to lead the professional listings in yellow page phone books. The common belief that Acme would be an acronym for "A Company Making Everything" is a misconception.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• c. 1610 A high point: the highest point of any range, the most developed stage of any process, or the culmination of any field or historical period.
• c. 1610 A paragon: a person or thing representing such a high point.