schlechthin
German
Etymology
17th century, from schlecht + hin. The first component here preserves the older sense “plain, simple”, otherwise now restricted to the variant schlicht (see there).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈʃlɛçtˈhɪn/
- Mostly stressed on the first syllable in the sense “absolutely”, on the second syllable in the sense “as such”.
Audio: (file)
Adverb
schlechthin
- (usually before an adjective) plainly, absolutely
- (usually after a noun) in its purest form, in its truest sense, as such, par excellence
- Synonyms: an sich, par excellence, in Reinkultur
- Hitler symbolisiert für viele das Böse schlechtin. ― For many, Hitler symbolizes evil as such.
Further reading
- “schlechthin” in Duden online