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{{About|the greatest work of a [[writer]], [[artist]], or [[composer]]|other uses|Magnum opus (disambiguation)}}
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'''''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 DecemberDRAKES NOT REALLY LIGHTSKIN 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 an artist.

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 be 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]]