Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Least
Least
(lēst)
, Adj.
[Used as the superlative of little.]
Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant;
as, the
least
insect; the least
mercy; the least
space.☞ 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.; being no less than; hence, at any rate; at all events; even. See
However
.He who tempts, though in vain,
The tempted with dishonor.
– at least
aspersesThe tempted with dishonor.
Milton.
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.
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.
In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others;
as, to reward those who
. least
deserve itWebster 1828 Edition
Least
LEAST
,Adj.
Smallest; little beyond others, either in size or degree; as the least insect; the least mercy.
Least is often used without the noun to which it refers. 'I am the least of the apostles,' that is, the least apostle of all the apostles. 1Cor. 15.
LEAST
,adv.
1.
In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it.At least,
At the least, To say no more; not to demand or affirm more than is barely sufficient; at the lowest degree. If he has not incurred a penalty, he at least deserves censure.
He who tempts, though vain, at least asperses the tempted with dishonor.
2.
To say no more. Let useful observations be at least a part of your conversation.The least, in the smallest degree. His faculties are not in the least impaired.
At leastwise, in the sense of at least, is obsolete.
Definition 2024
least
least
English
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /liːst/
- Rhymes: -iːst
- Homophone: leased
Determiner
least (comparative less)
- superlative form of little: most little; the smallest amount of [something uncountable].
- He earns the least money in his family. Of all the sisters, she has the least patience. I can only afford to pay the least of the bills.
- 1857, Edmund March Blunt, The American Coast Pilot: Containing Directions for the Principal Harbors, E. & G.W. Blunt, page 135:
- The least water we could find there was 4 fathoms, which bears from the point S.E., and is distant 1½ mile.
- John Duncan, Duncan's Travels
- To have demolished and rebuilt the walls, would have been a very costly expedient, and as the least of two evils, the painter's brush was resorted to; here and there however, above some of the windows, the black wreathings of the smoke are still discernible through the white covering.
- 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 5, in Mr. Pratt's Patients:
- “Well,” I says, “I cal'late a body could get used to Tophet if he stayed there long enough.” ¶ She flared up; the least mite of a slam at Doctor Wool was enough to set her going.
- 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:
- Charles had not been employed above six months at Darracott Place, but he was not such a whopstraw as to make the least noise in the performance of his duties when his lordship was out of humour.
- 2004, Jim Baggott, Beyond Measure: Modern Physics, Philosophy, and the Meaning of Quantum Theory, Oxford University Press, page 48:
- Light does not need to know in advance which is the path of least time because it takes all paths from its source to its destination.
Usage notes
Some grammarians recommend to use least only with uncountable nouns, as in the examples above with the smallest amount of sense:
- 1965, H. W. Fowler, Fowler’s Modern English Usage: Second Edition:
- [W]hen the context—unemotional statement of everyday facts—is taken into account, at a less price ought to be at a lower price, and a lesser prize ought to be a smaller prize.
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.
Translations
the smallest amount of
Adverb
least (negative superlative)
- Used for forming superlatives of adjectives, especially those that do not form the superlative by adding -est.
- It was the least surprising thing.
- In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others.
- to reward those who least deserve it
Antonyms
Translations
in the smallest degree
Adjective
least
Derived terms
terms derived from "least"
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Etymology 2
Contraction of at least.
Prepositional phrase
least
- (informal, nonstandard) At least.