MAX'IM, noun [Latin maximum, literally the greatest.] 1. An established principle or proposition; a principle generally received or admitted as true. It is nearly the same in popular usage, as axiom in philosophy and mathematics. It is a maxim of state, that countries newly acquired and not settled, are matters of burden, rather than of strength. It is their maxim love is love's reward. 2. In music, the longest note formerly used, equal to two longs, or four breves.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI