LEASTS

Noun

leasts

plural of least

Anagrams

• Slates, astels, salets, slates, stales, steals, stelas, tassel, teslas

Source: Wiktionary


LEAST

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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Word of the Day

23 November 2024

THEORETICAL

(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; “theoretical science”


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