magnum

Everyday

1. A wine or champagne bottle that holds twice as much as a normal bottle (1.5 litres). tree →
2. A powerful gun or bullet (from «Magnum» as a trade name). tree →
3. (Magnum) A brand name of ice cream on a stick, coated with chocolate. tree →
4. (magnum opus) A person's greatest work. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life children may know Magnum ice creams; in stories and films, a detective's magnum is a powerful handgun; at celebrations, adults open a magnum of champagne. In English and art lessons, «magnum opus» means an artist's greatest work. Phrases: a magnum of champagne, magnum opus.

Examples

• Dad bought a magnum of champagne for the wedding. tree →
• A magnum holds as much as two bottles. tree →
• I'd love a Magnum ice cream on a hot day. tree →
• The cowboy in the film carried a magnum. tree →
• The painter called the huge picture her magnum opus. tree →
• That novel is the writer's magnum opus. tree →
• The racing driver sprayed a magnum of champagne from the podium. tree →

Note

Countable: a magnum, magnums. Latin «magnum» = great. «Magnum opus» (plural magna opera) is a fixed phrase. Capital M for the ice-cream brand. In maths problems, a magnum = 1.5 litres = 2 standard 75 cl bottles.