–adjective a superl. of late with later as compar.
1.
occurring or coming after all others, as in time, order, or place: the last line on a page.
2.
most recent; next before the present; latest: last week; last Friday.
3.
being the only one remaining: my last dollar; the last outpost; a last chance.
4.
final: in his last hours.
5.
ultimate or conclusive; definitive: the last word in the argument.
6.
lowest in prestige or importance: last prize.
7.
coming after all others in suitability or likelihood; least desirable: He is the last person we'd want to represent us.
8.
individual; single: The lecture won't start until every last person is seated.
9.
utmost; extreme: the last degree of delight.
10.
Ecclesiastical. (of the sacraments of penance, viaticum, or extreme unction) extreme or final; administered to a person dying or in danger of dying.
–adverb
11.
after all others; latest: He arrived last at the party.
12.
on the most recent occasion: When last seen, the suspect was wearing a checked suit.
13.
in the end; finally; in conclusion.
–noun
14.
a person or thing that is last.
15.
a final appearance or mention: We've seen the last of her. That's the last we'll hear of it.
16.
the end or conclusion: We are going on vacation the last of September.
—Idioms
17.
at last, after a lengthy pause or delay: He was lost in thought for several minutes, but at last he spoke.
18.
at long last, after much troublesome or frustrating delay: The ship docked at long last.
19.
breathe one's last, to die: He was nearly 90 when he breathed his last.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME last, latst, syncopated var. of latest, OE latest, lætest, superl. of læt,late]
—Synonyms 1.Last,final,ultimate refer to what comes as an ending. That which is last comes or stands after all others in a stated series or succession; last may refer to objects or activities: a seat in the last row; the last game. That which is final comes at the end, or serves to end or terminate, admitting of nothing further; final is rarely used of objects: to make a final attempt. That which is ultimate (literally, most remote) is the last that can be reached, as in progression or regression, experience, or a course of investigation: ultimate truths.
to go on or continue in time: The festival lasted three weeks.
2.
to continue unexpended or unexhausted; be enough: We'll enjoy ourselves while our money lasts.
3.
to continue in force, vigor, effectiveness, etc.: to last for the whole course.
4.
to continue or remain in usable condition for a reasonable period of time: They were handsome shoes but they didn't last.
–verb (used with object)
5.
to continue to survive for the duration of (often fol. by out): They lasted the war in Switzerland.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME lasten, OE lǣstan to follow (lit., go in the tracks of), perform, continue, last; c. G laisten to follow, Goth laistjan.See last3]
any of various large units of weight or capacity, varying in amount in different localities and for different commodities, often equivalent to 4000 pounds (1814.37 kilograms).
[Origin: bef. 900; ME; OE hlæst; c. D last, G Last load; akin to lade]
Being, coming, or placed after all others; final: the last game of the season.
Being the only one left: his last nickel; as a last resort.
Just past; most recent: last year; the last time I checked.
Most up-to-date; newest: the last thing in swimwear.
Highest in extent or degree; utmost: to the last measure of human endurance.
Most valid, authoritative, or conclusive: The arbiter will have the last say in resolving this dispute.
Least likely or expected: the last person we would have suspected.
The least desirable or suitable: the last man for the job.
Of or relating to a terminal period or stage, as of life: the last days of the dinosaurs.
Administered just before death: the last sacraments.
Being the latest possible: waited until the last second before boarding the train.
Lowest in rank or importance: last prize; last place.
Used as an intensive: Every last dollar was donated to charity.
Of or relating to a terminal period or stage, as of life: the last days of the dinosaurs.
Administered just before death: the last sacraments.
adv.
After all others in chronology or sequence: arrived last.
Most recently: a fashion last popular in the 1940s.
At the end; finally: Add the butter last.
n.
One that is at the end or last: the last to be chosen; on every page but the last.
The end: held out until the last.
The final mention or appearance: haven't seen the last of our troubles.
[Middle English, from Old English latost, superlative of læt, late; see lē- in Indo-European roots.]
last'ly adv.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean coming after all others in chronology or sequence. Last applies to what comes at the end of a series: the last day of the month.
Something final stresses the definitiveness and decisiveness of the conclusion: "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality" (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Terminal applies to what marks or forms a limit or boundary, as in space, time, or development: The railroad chose as its terminal city a town with a large harbor. Ultimate applies to what concludes a series, process, or progression, to what constitutes a final result or objective, and to what is most distant or remote, as in time: the ultimate sonata of that opus; our ultimate goal; the ultimate effect.
last 4Audio Help (lāst) Pronunciation Key
n.
Chiefly British
A unit of volume or weight varying for different commodities and in different districts, equal to about 80 bushels, 640 gallons, or 2 tons.
[Middle English, load, a kind of measure, from Old English hlæst, load.]
"following all the others," from O.E. latost (adj.) and lætest (adv.), superl. of læt (adj.) and late (adv.). Cognate with O.Fris. lest, Du. laatst, O.H.G. laggost, Ger. letzt). Adj. Last-ditch "on the last line of defense" is from 1715, attributed to William of Orange. Last hurrah is from the title of Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel. Last word "final, definitive statement" is from 1881.
"endure," from O.E. læstan "to continue, endure," earlier "accomplish, carry out," lit. "to follow a track," from P.Gmc. *laistijanan (cf. Goth. laistjan "to follow," O.Fris. lasta "to fulfill, to pay (duties)," Ger. leisten "to perform, achieve, afford"). Related to last (n.), not to last (adj.).
immediately past; "last Thursday"; "the last chapter we read"
2.
coming after all others in time or space or degree or being the only one remaining; "the last time I saw Paris"; "the last day of the month"; "had the last word"; "waited until the last minute"; "he raised his voice in a last supreme call"; "the last game of the season"; "down to his last nickel" [ant: first]
3.
occurring at or forming an end or termination; "his concluding words came as a surprise"; "the final chapter"; "the last days of the dinosaurs"; "terminal leave" [syn: concluding]
4.
most unlikely or unsuitable; "the last person we would have suspected"; "the last man they would have chosen for the job"
5.
occurring at the time of death; "his last words"; "the last rites"
6.
conclusive in a process or progression; "the final answer"; "a last resort"; "the net result" [syn: final]
7.
highest in extent or degree; "to the last measure of human endurance"; "whether they were accomplices in the last degree or a lesser one was...to be determined individually"
8.
not to be altered or undone; "the judge's decision is final"; "the arbiter will have the last say" [syn: final]
9.
lowest in rank or importance; "last prize"; "in last place"
adverb
1.
most_recently; "I saw him last in London"
2.
the item at the end; "last, I'll discuss family values"
noun
1.
the temporal end; the concluding time; "the stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell"; "the market was up at the finish"; "they were playing better at the close of the season" [syn: stopping point]
2.
the last or lowest in an ordering or series; "he was the last to leave"; "he finished an inglorious last"
3.
a person's dying act; the final thing a person can do; "he breathed his last"
4.
the time at which life ends; continuing until dead; "she stayed until his death"; "a struggle to the last" [syn: death]
5.
a unit of weight equal to 4,000 pounds
6.
a unit of capacity for grain equal to 80 bushels
7.
the concluding parts of an event or occurrence; "the end was exciting"; "I had to miss the last of the movie" [syn: end]
8.
holding device shaped like a human foot that is used to fashion or repair shoes
verb
1.
persist for a specified period of time; "The bad weather lasted for three days"
2.
continue to live through hardship or adversity; "We went without water and food for 3 days"; "These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America"; "The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents"; "how long can a person last without food and water?" [syn: survive]
coming at the end Example: We set out on the last day of November; He was last in the race; He caught the last bus home.
Arabic:
أخير
Chinese (Simplified):
最后的
Chinese (Traditional):
最後的
Czech:
poslední
Danish:
sidst; sidste
Dutch:
laatst
Estonian:
viimne
Finnish:
viimeinen
French:
dernier
German:
letzt
Greek:
τελευταίος
Hungarian:
(leg)utolsó
Icelandic:
síðastur
Indonesian:
terakhir
Japanese:
最後の
Korean:
마지막의
Latvian:
pēdējais; beidzamais
Lithuanian:
paskutinis
Norwegian:
siste
Polish:
ostatni
Portuguese (Brazil):
último
Portuguese (Portugal):
último
Romanian:
ultim
Russian:
последний
Slovak:
posledný
Slovenian:
zadnji
Spanish:
último
Swedish:
sist, sista
Turkish:
son, sonuncu
last2[laːst]adjective
most recent; next before the present Example: Our last house was much smaller than this; last year/month/week
Arabic:
الأخير
Chinese (Simplified):
最近过去的
Chinese (Traditional):
最近過去的
Czech:
poslední; minulý
Danish:
sidste; forrige
Dutch:
vorig
Estonian:
eelmine
Finnish:
edellinen, viime
French:
dernier
German:
letzt
Greek:
προηγούμενος, περασμένος
Hungarian:
legutóbbi
Icelandic:
síðasti (þar á undan
Indonesian:
terakhir
Japanese:
この前の
Korean:
최근의
Latvian:
iepriekšējais; pagājušais
Lithuanian:
ankstesnis, praėjęs
Norwegian:
siste, forrige
Polish:
ostatni, poprzedni, zeszły
Portuguese (Brazil):
último
Portuguese (Portugal):
passado
Romanian:
ultim
Russian:
предыдущий; прошлый
Slovak:
posledný; minulý
Slovenian:
prejšnji
Spanish:
último
Swedish:
förra, senaste
Turkish:
önceki, geçen, en son
last3[laːst]adjective
coming or remaining after all the others Example: He was the last guest to leave.
Arabic:
آخِر
Chinese (Simplified):
最后的
Chinese (Traditional):
最後到的; 最後走的
Czech:
poslední
Danish:
sidste
Dutch:
laatst
Estonian:
viimane
Finnish:
viimeinen
French:
dernier
German:
letzt
Greek:
τελευταίος, που απομένει μετά τους άλλους
Hungarian:
(leg)utolsó
Icelandic:
síðastur, seinastur
Indonesian:
paling akhir
Japanese:
最後の
Korean:
최후로 남은
Latvian:
pēdējais
Lithuanian:
paskiausias, paskutinis
Norwegian:
siste
Polish:
ostatni
Portuguese (Brazil):
último
Portuguese (Portugal):
último
Romanian:
ultim
Russian:
самый последний
Slovak:
posledný
Slovenian:
poslednji
Spanish:
último
Swedish:
sista
Turkish:
son, sonuncu
last[laːst]adverb
at the end of or after all the others Example: He took his turn last.
Arabic:
آخر واحَد
Chinese (Simplified):
最后
Chinese (Traditional):
最後
Czech:
nakonec
Danish:
til sidst; til slut
Dutch:
aan het eind
Estonian:
viimasena
French:
en dernier
German:
zuletzt
Greek:
στο τέλος, μετά τους άλλους
Hungarian:
utoljára
Icelandic:
síðastur, seinastur
Indonesian:
akhirnya
Japanese:
最後に
Korean:
최후에
Latvian:
beigās
Lithuanian:
paskiausiai
Norwegian:
sist
Polish:
na końcu
Portuguese (Brazil):
por último
Portuguese (Portugal):
por último
Romanian:
la urmă
Russian:
в конце; после всех
Slovak:
nakoniec
Slovenian:
nazadnje
Spanish:
en último lugar
Swedish:
sist
Turkish:
en son, son olarak; sonda
last1[laːst]verb
to continue to exist Example: This situation lasted until she got married; I hope this fine weather lasts.
Arabic:
يَدوم، يَسْتَمِر
Chinese (Simplified):
持续
Chinese (Traditional):
持續
Czech:
(po)trvat
Danish:
vare; holde
Dutch:
voortduren
Estonian:
kestma
Finnish:
jatkua
French:
durer
German:
andauern
Greek:
διαρκώ, διατηρούμαι
Hungarian:
tart
Icelandic:
vara, standa yfir
Indonesian:
berlangsung
Japanese:
続く
Korean:
지속하다
Latvian:
ilgt; turpināties
Lithuanian:
trukti, būti, išsilaikyti
Norwegian:
vare (ved), holde seg
Polish:
trwać, utrzymać się
Portuguese (Brazil):
durar
Portuguese (Portugal):
durar
Romanian:
a dura, a ţine
Russian:
длиться
Slovak:
trvať; vydržať
Slovenian:
trajati
Spanish:
durar
Swedish:
vara, hålla på
Turkish:
sürmek, devam etmek
last2[laːst]verb
to remain in good condition or supply Example: This carpet has lasted well; The bread won't last another two days — we'll need more; This coat will last me until I die.
At\, prep. [AS. [ae]t; akin to OHG. az, Goth., OS., & Icel. at, Sw. [*a]t, Dan. & L. ad.] Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at. It expresses: 1. A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land. 2. The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage. 3. The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns. 4. The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 80[deg]; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest. 5. The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first. 6. The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands. 7. Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one. At all, At home, At large, At last, At length, At once, etc. See under All, Home, Large, Last (phrase and syn.), Length, Once, etc. At it, busily or actively engaged. At least. See Least and However. At one. See At one, in the Vocabulary. Syn: In, At. Usage: When reference to the interior of any place is made prominent in is used. It is used before the names of countries and cities (esp. large cities); as, we live in America, in New York, in the South. At is commonly employed before names of houses, institutions, villages, and small places; as, Milton was educated at Christ's College; money taken in at the Customhouse; I saw him at the jeweler's; we live at Beachville. At may be used before the name of a city when it is regarded as a mere point of locality. "An English king was crowned at Paris." --Macaulay. "Jean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June, 28, 1712." --J. Morley. In regard to time, we say at the hour, on the day, in the year; as, at 9 o'clock, on the morning of July 5th, in the year 1775.
Bal"last\, n. [D. ballast; akin to Dan. baglast, ballast, OSw. barlast, Sw. ballast. The first part is perh. the same word as E. bare, adj.; the second is last a burden, and hence the meaning a bare, or mere, load. See Bare, a., and Last load.]1. (Naut.) Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing. 2. Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness. 3. Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid. 4. The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete. 5. Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security. It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity. --Barrow. Ballast engine, a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast. Ship in ballast, a ship carring only ballast.
Darn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Darned; p. pr. & vb. n. Darning.] [OE. derne, prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. darnio to piece, break in pieces, W. & Arm. to E. tear. Cf. Tear, v. t.] To mend as a rent or hole, with interlacing stitches of yarn or thread by means of a needle; to sew together with yarn or thread. He spent every day ten hours in his closet, in darning his stockins. --Swift. Darning last. See under Last. Darning needle. (a) A long, strong needle for mending holes or rents, especially in stockings. (b) (Zo["o]l.) Any species of dragon fly, having a long, cylindrical body, resembling a needle. These flies are harmless and without stings. Note: [In this sense, usually written with a hyphen.] Called also devil's darning-needle.
Hand\, n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand, OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h["o]nd, Goth. handus, and perh. to Goth. hinpan to seize (in comp.). Cf. Hunt.]1. That part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in man and monkeys, and the corresponding part in many other animals; manus; paw. See Manus. 2. That which resembles, or to some extent performs the office of, a human hand; as: (a) A limb of certain animals, as the foot of a hawk, or any one of the four extremities of a monkey. (b) An index or pointer on a dial; as, the hour or minute hand of a clock. 3. A measure equal to a hand's breadth, -- four inches; a palm. Chiefly used in measuring the height of horses. 4. Side; part; direction, either right or left. On this hand and that hand, were hangings. --Ex. xxxviii. 15. The Protestants were then on the winning hand. --Milton. 5. Power of performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity. He had a great mind to try his hand at a Spectator. --Addison. 6. Actual performance; deed; act; workmanship; agency; hence, manner of performance. To change the hand in carrying on the war. --Clarendon. Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by my hand. --Judges vi. 36. 7. An agent; a servant, or laborer; a workman, trained or competent for special service or duty; a performer more or less skillful; as, a deck hand; a farm hand; an old hand at speaking. A dictionary containing a natural history requires too many hands, as well as too much time, ever to be hoped for. --Locke. I was always reckoned a lively hand at a simile. --Hazlitt. 8. Handwriting; style of penmanship; as, a good, bad or running hand. Hence, a signature. I say she never did invent this letter; This is a man's invention and his hand. --Shak. Some writs require a judge's hand. --Burril. 9. Personal possession; ownership; hence, control; direction; management; -- usually in the plural. "Receiving in hand one year's tribute." --Knolles. Albinus . . . found means to keep in his hands the goverment of Britain. --Milton. 10. Agency in transmission from one person to another; as, to buy at first hand, that is, from the producer, or when new; at second hand, that is, when no longer in the producer's hand, or when not new. 11. Rate; price. [Obs.] "Business is bought at a dear hand, where there is small dispatch." --Bacon. 12. That which is, or may be, held in a hand at once; as: (a) (Card Playing) The quota of cards received from the dealer. (b) (Tobacco Manuf.) A bundle of tobacco leaves tied together. 13. (Firearms) The small part of a gunstock near the lock, which is grasped by the hand in taking aim. Note: Hand is used figuratively for a large variety of acts or things, in the doing, or making, or use of which the hand is in some way employed or concerned; also, as a symbol to denote various qualities or conditions, as: (a) Activity; operation; work; -- in distinction from the head, which implies thought, and the heart, which implies affection. "His hand will be against every man." --Gen. xvi. 12. (b) Power; might; supremacy; -- often in the Scriptures. "With a mighty hand . . . will I rule over you." --Ezek. xx. 33. (c) Fraternal feeling; as, to give, or take, the hand; to give the right hand. (d) Contract; -- commonly of marriage; as, to ask the hand; to pledge the hand. Note: Hand is often used adjectively or in compounds (with or without the hyphen), signifying performed by the hand; as, hand blow or hand-blow, hand gripe or hand-gripe: used by, or designed for, the hand; as, hand ball or handball, hand bow, hand fetter, hand grenade or hand-grenade, handgun or hand gun, handloom or hand loom, handmill or hand organ or handorgan, handsaw or hand saw, hand-weapon: measured or regulated by the hand; as, handbreadth or hand's breadth, hand gallop or hand-gallop. Most of the words in the following paragraph are written either as two words or in combination. Hand bag, a satchel; a small bag for carrying books, papers, parcels, etc. Hand basket, a small or portable basket. Hand bell, a small bell rung by the hand; a table bell. --Bacon. Hand bill, a small pruning hook. See 4th Bill. Hand car. See under Car. Hand director (Mus.), an instrument to aid in forming a good position of the hands and arms when playing on the piano; a hand guide. Hand drop. See Wrist drop. Hand gallop. See under Gallop. Hand gear (Mach.), apparatus by means of which a machine, or parts of a machine, usually operated by other power, may be operated by hand. Hand glass. (a) A glass or small glazed frame, for the protection of plants. (b) A small mirror with a handle. Hand guide. Same as Hand director (above). Hand language, the art of conversing by the hands, esp. as practiced by the deaf and dumb; dactylology. Hand lathe. See under Lathe. Hand money, money paid in hand to bind a contract; earnest money. Hand organ (Mus.), a barrel organ, operated by a crank turned by hand. Hand plant. (Bot.) Same as Hand tree (below). -- Hand rail, a rail, as in staircases, to hold by. --Gwilt. Hand sail, a sail managed by the hand. --Sir W. Temple. Hand screen, a small screen to be held in the hand. Hand screw, a small jack for raising heavy timbers or weights; (Carp.) a screw clamp. Hand staff (pl. Hand staves), a javelin. --Ezek. xxxix. 9. Hand stamp, a small stamp for dating, addressing, or canceling papers, envelopes, etc. Hand tree (Bot.), a lofty tree found in Mexico (Cheirostemon platanoides), having red flowers whose stamens unite in the form of a hand. Hand vise, a small vise held in the hand in doing small work. --Moxon. Hand work, or Handwork, work done with the hands, as distinguished from work done by a machine; handiwork. All hands, everybody; all parties. At all hands, On all hands, on all sides; from every direction; generally. At any hand, At no hand, in any (or no) way or direction; on any account; on no account. "And therefore at no hand consisting with the safety and interests of humility." --Jer. Taylor. At first hand, At second hand. See def. 10 (above). At hand. (a) Near in time or place; either present and within reach, or not far distant. "Your husband is at hand; I hear his trumpet." --Shak. (b) Under the hand or bridle. [Obs.] "Horses hot at hand." --Shak. At the hand of, by the act of; as a gift from. "Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?" --Job ii. 10. Bridle hand. See under Bridle. By hand, with the hands, in distinction from instrumentality of tools, engines, or animals; as, to weed a garden by hand; to lift, draw, or carry by hand. Clean hands, freedom from guilt, esp. from the guilt of dishonesty in money matters, or of bribe taking. "He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." --Job xvii. 9. From hand to hand, from one person to another. Hand in hand. (a) In union; conjointly; unitedly. --Swift. (b) Just; fair; equitable. As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison. --Shak. Hand over hand, Hand over fist, by passing the hands alternately one before or above another; as, to climb hand over hand; also, rapidly; as, to come up with a chase hand over hand. Hand over head, negligently; rashly; without seeing what one does. [Obs.] --Bacon. Hand running, consecutively; as, he won ten times hand running. Hand off! keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling! Hand to hand, in close union; in close fight; as, a hand to hand contest. --Dryden. Heavy hand, severity or oppression. In hand. (a) Paid down. "A considerable reward in hand, and . . . a far greater reward hereafter." --Tillotson. (b) In preparation; taking place. --Chaucer. "Revels . . . in hand." --Shak. (c) Under consideration, or in the course of transaction; as, he has the business in hand. In one's hand or hands. (a) In one's possession or keeping. (b) At one's risk, or peril; as, I took my life in my hand. Laying on of hands, a form used in consecrating to office, in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons. Light hand, gentleness; moderation. Note of hand, a promissory note. Off hand, Out of hand, forthwith; without delay, hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. "She causeth them to be hanged up out of hand." --Spenser. Off one's hands, out of one's possession or care. On hand, in present possession; as, he has a supply of goods on hand. On one's hands, in one's possession care, or management. Putting the hand under the thigh, an ancient Jewish ceremony used in swearing. Right hand, the place of honor, power, and strength. Slack hand, idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth. Strict hand, severe discipline; rigorous government. To bear a hand (Naut), to give help quickly; to hasten. To bear in hand, to keep in expectation with false pretenses. [Obs.] --Shak. To behand and glove, or in glovewith. See under Glove. To be on the mending hand, to be convalescent or improving. To bring up by hand, to feed (an infant) without suckling it. To change hand. See Change. To change hands, to change sides, or change owners. --Hudibras. To clap the hands, to express joy or applause, as by striking the palms of the hands together. To come to hand, to be received; to be taken into possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday. To get hand, to gain influence. [Obs.] Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them. --Baxter. To got one's hand in, to make a beginning in a certain work; to become accustomed to a particular business. To have a hand in, to be concerned in; to have a part or concern in doing; to have an agency or be employed in. To have in hand. (a) To have in one's power or control. --Chaucer. (b) To be engaged upon or occupied with. To have one's hands full, to have in hand al that one can do, or more than can be done conveniently; to be pressed with labor or engagements; to be surrounded with difficulties. Tohave, or get, the (higher) upper hand, to have, or get, the better of another person or thing. To his hand, To my hand, etc., in readiness; already prepared. "The work is made to his hands." --Locke. To hold hand, to compete successfully or on even conditions. [Obs.] --Shak. To lay hands on, to seize; to assault. To lend a hand, to give assistance. Tolift, or put forth, the hand against, to attack; to oppose; to kill. To live from hand to mouth, to obtain food and other necessaries as want compels, without previous provision. To make one's hand, to gain advantage or profit. To put the hand unto, to steal. --Ex. xxii. 8. To put thelast, or finishing, hand to, to make the last corrections in; to complete; to perfect. To set the hand to, to engage in; to undertake. That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to. --Deut. xxiii. 20. To stand one in hand, to concern or affect one. To strike hands, to make a contract, or to become surety for another's debt or good behavior. To take in hand. (a) To attempt or undertake. (b) To seize and deal with; as, he took him in hand. To wash the hands of, to disclaim or renounce interest in, or responsibility for, a person or action; as, to wash one's hands of a business. --Matt. xxvii. 24. Under the hand of, authenticated by the handwriting or signature of; as, the deed is executed under the hand and seal of the owner.
Lade\, v. t. [imp. Laded; p. p. Laded, Laded; p. pr. & vb. n. Lading.] [AS. hladan to heap, load, draw (water); akin to D. & G. laden to load, OHG. hladan, ladan, Icel. hla?a, Sw. ladda, Dan. lade, Goth. afhlapan. Cf. Load, Ladle, Lathe for turning, Last a load.]1. To load; to put a burden or freight on or in; -- generally followed by that which receives the load, as the direct object. And they laded their asses with the corn. --Gen. xlii. 26. 2. To throw in out. with a ladle or dipper; to dip; as, to lade water out of a tub, or into a cistern. And chides the sea that sunders him from thence, Saying, he'll lade it dry to have his way. --Shak. 3. (Plate Glass Manuf.) To transfer (the molten glass) from the pot to the forming table.
Last\, a. [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See Late, and cf. Latest.]1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or order of succession; following all the rest; final; hindmost; farthest; as, the last year of a century; the last man in a line of soldiers; the last page in a book; his last chance. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. --Neh. viii. 18. Fairest of stars, last in the train of night. --Milton. 2. Next before the present; as, I saw him last week. 3. Supreme; highest in degree; utmost. Contending for principles of the last importance. --R. Hall. 4. Lowest in rank or degree; as, the last prize. --Pope. 5. Farthest of all from a given quality, character, or condition; most unlikely; having least fitness; as, he is the last person to be accused of theft. At last, at the end of a certain period; after delay. "The duke of Savoy felt that the time had at last arrived." --Motley. At the last. [Prob. fr. AS. on l[=a]ste behind, following behind, fr. l[=a]st race, track, footstep. See Last mold of the foot.] At the end; in the conclusion. [Obs.] "Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last." --Gen. xlix. 19. Last heir, the person to whom lands escheat for want of an heir. [Eng.] --Abbott. On one's last legs, at, or near, the end of one's resources; hence, on the verge of failure or ruin, especially in a financial sense. [Colloq.] To breathe one's last, to die. To the last, to the end; till the conclusion. And blunder on in business to the last. --Pope. Syn: At Last, At Length. Usage: These phrases both denote that some delayed end or result has been reached. At length implies that a long period was spent in so doing; as, after a voyage of more than three months, we at Length arrived safe. At last commonly implies that something has occurred (as interruptions, disappointments, etc.) which leads us to emphasize the idea of having reached the end; as, in spite of every obstacle, we have at last arrived.
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