magnum opus


noun

a great work, especially the chief work of a writer or artist: Proust's magnum opus is Remembrance of Things Past.

Origin of magnum opus

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1785–95

British Dictionary definitions for magnum opus

magnum opus

noun

a great work of art or literature, esp the greatest single work of an artist

Word Origin for magnum opus

Latin

Cultural definitions for magnum opus

magnum opus
[ (mag-nuhm oh-puhs) ]

The most important work in a person's career, especially in literature, art, or scholarship: “Moby Dick was Melville's magnum opus.” From Latin, meaning “great work.”