Literary notes about greatest (AI summary)
The word "greatest" in literature is often used as a superlative marker that elevates a quality, action, or status to the highest degree. Authors employ it to stress efficiency, importance, or emotional intensity—for instance, Melville underscores "the greatest efficiency" in a practical sense ([1]), while Wilde and Rousseau apply it to denote deep personal bonds or challenges, as in "our greatest friend" ([2]) and "the greatest of the tutor’s difficulties" ([3]). It can signal eminence in achievement or influence, such as becoming "one of the greatest living merchants" ([4]) or recognizing someone's unrivaled expertise ([5]). At times, "greatest" conveys extreme conditions of both positive and negative natures, whether celebrating peak accomplishments or highlighting significant dangers and misfortunes ([6]). This multifaceted usage enriches the narrative by drawing attention to the pinnacle of experience, status, or emotion within different contexts.