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{{About|the greatest work of a [[writer]], [[artist]], or [[composer]]|other uses|Magnum opus (disambiguation)}}

'''''Magnum opus''''' (plural: '''''magna opera''''', also '''''opus magnum''''' / '''''opera magna'''''), from the [[Latin]] meaning "great work",<ref>''The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'', Fourth Edition, Retrieved December 10, 2006, from [http://dictionary.reference.com Dictionary.com]</ref> refers to the largest, and perhaps the best, greatest, most popular, or most renowned achievement of a [[writer]], [[artist]], [[composer]], or [[Artisan|craftsman]]n artist.

==Related terms==
Sometimes the term ''magnum opus'' is used to refer to simply "''a'' great work" rather than "''the'' great work" of a specific person.<ref>Bill Bryson, ''Troublesome Words'', Third Edition published in Penguin Books 2002</ref> 

In popular usage, the English-style plural ''magnum opuses'' may also be seen. Some reputable dictionaries such as the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] now regard ''magnum opuses'' as acceptable.

The term "magnum opus" is distinguished in usage from "[[masterpiece]]" by a requirement that it is a work on a large scale, and by the absence of a requirement that it is generally regarded as among the creator's most successful works.

==See also==
{{wiktionary|magnum opus}}
*[[Great Work]]
*[[Henosis]]
*[[Pièce de résistance]]
*[[One-hit wonder]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Creative works]]
[[Category:Latin literary phrases]]