LEAST

least

(adjective) the superlative of ‘little’ that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by ‘the’; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree; “didn’t care the least bit”; “he has the least talent of anyone”

least, to the lowest degree

(adverb) used to form the superlative; “The garter snake is the least dangerous snake”

least

(noun) something that is of no importance; “it is the least I can do”; “that is the least of my concerns”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Determiner

least (comparative less)

The most little; the smallest amount or quantity of [something].

Usage notes

Some grammarians recommend to use least only with uncountable nouns, as in the examples above with the smallest amount of sense

To such grammarians least is the superlative of a little, not that of little, so it does not mean smallest, but the smallest amount of. With plural nouns, they recommend fewest.

However, other authorities disagree; the OED lists least as a synonym of fewest without any usage notes discussing this meaning.

Adverb

least

Used for forming superlatives of adjectives, especially those that do not form the superlative by adding -est.

In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others.

Antonyms

• most

Noun

least (plural leasts)

(philosophy) Something of the smallest possible extent; an indivisible unit.

Adjective

least

Most little; smallest.

Etymology 2

Prepositional phrase

least

(informal, nonstandard) At least.

Anagrams

• Astle, ETLAs, Slate, Teals, Tesla, astel, laste, lates, leats, salet, setal, slate, stale, steal, stela, taels, tales, teals, telas, tesla

Source: Wiktionary

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Least, a. Etym: [OE. last, lest, AS. l, l, superl. of l less. See Less, a.] [Used as the superlative of little.]

Definition: Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space.

Note: Least is often used with the, as if a noun. I am the least of the apostles. 1 Cor. xv. 9. At least, or At the least, at the least estimate, consideration, chance, etc.; hence, at any rate; at all events; even. See However. He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonor. Milton. Upon the mast they saw a young man, at least if he were a man, who sat as on horseback. Sir P. Sidney.

– In least, or In the least, in the least degree, manner, etc. "He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke xvi. 10.

– Least squares (Math.), a method of deducing from a number of carefully made yet slightly discordant observations of a phenomenon the most probable values of the unknown quantities.

Note: It takes as its fundamental principle that the most probable values are those which make the sum of the squares of the residual errors of the observation a minimum.

Least, adv.

Definition: In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it.

Least, conj.

Definition: See Lest, conj. [Obs.] Spenser.

LESS

-less. Etym: [AS. leás loose, false; akin to OS. l loose, false, D. los loose, loos false, sly, G. los loose, Icel. lauss loose, vacant, Goth. laus empty, vain, and also to E. loose, lose. sq. root127. See Lose, and cf. Loose, Leasing.]

Definition: A privative adjective suffix, denoting without, destitute of, not having; as witless, childless, fatherless.

Less (lês), conj.

Definition: Unless. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Less, a. Etym: [OE. lesse, AS. læssa; akin to OFries. lessa; a compar. from a lost positive form. Cf. Lesser, Lest, Least. Less has the sense of the comparative degree of little.]

Definition: Smaller; not so large or great; not so much; shorter; inferior; as, a less quantity or number; a horse of less size or value; in less time than before.

Note: The substantive which less qualifies is often omitted; as, the purse contained less (money) than ten dollars. See Less, n. Thus in less [time] than a hundred years from the coming of Augustine, all England became Christian. E. A. Freeman.

Less, adv. Etym: [AS. l. See Less, adj., and cf. Lest.]

Definition: Not so much; in a smaller or lower degree; as, less bright or loud; less beautiful.

Less, n.

1. A smaller portion or quantity. The children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. Ex. xvi. 17.

2. The inferior, younger, or smaller. The less is blessed of the better. Heb. vii. 7.

Less, v. t.

Definition: To make less; to lessen. [Obs.] Gower.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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